The Midwest’s Pure Green Farms expands with new investor

Indoor agriculture is booming with new investment, and one South Bend, Ind.-based hydroponic greenhouse is no exception.

The Midwest’s Pure Green Farms will continue expanding with the addition of a new investor, Paul J. Mastronardi, according to a news release.

Mastronardi’s advisory board includes Grant Froese, former chief operating officer of Loblaws; Charles Conaway, former president and chief operating officer of CVS; and Jakob Ripshtein, CEO of Perennial Brands.

“It’s no secret that the landscape of food supply chains is changing at a dramatic pace,” Mastronardi said in the release. “We think this new greenhouse model using sustainable growing methods to produce fresh lettuce locally will withstand the test of time and prove to be better from an environmental, efficiency, quality and safety perspective.”

The partnership provides the company with a team that has a deep understanding of the supply chain process. Mastronardi has experience building a vertically integrated business and plans to further solidify the Pure Green Farms operation. Mastronardi can use his success in the tomato greenhouse category toward the greenhouse lettuce business.

“We have seen a demand in the supply chain for local produce,” Mastronardi said in the release.

The 100% control at Pure Green Farms from seed to plate is a key advantage, he said.

Joe McGuire, CEO of Pure Green Farms, said in the release that he is proud of their greens and wants to share them with a wider audience.

“We appreciate Paul J Mastronardi’s investment and partnership to be able to help us reach that goal,” he said. “I very much look forward to seeing what the future holds for the greenhouse.”

To learn more, visit enjoypuregreen.com.