Urban agriculture company BrightFarms continues to build its locavore movement with the opening of a US$10 million greenhouse in Rochelle, Illinois.

The Chicagoland Greenhouse expands the company's footprint which also includes existing facilities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Culpeper County, Vermont; the latter was built after several obstacles impeded a construction in Washington D.C. 

BrightFarms celebrated the Chicagoland opening and first harvest last month in an even attended by residents, Rochelle Mayor Chet Olson,and members of the supermarket chain that has committed to buying the facility's produce - Roundy's, a subsidiary of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR)

"Consumers want access to fresh, local produce year-round and we, along with Roundy's, are working tirelessly to meet this demand in the Chicagoland market," said BrightFarms CEO Paul Lightfoot.

"Produce from our Chicagoland Greenhouse is delivered within 24 hours of harvest and often grown less than 100 miles from where it's sold. That’s a 98 percent improvement from the thousands of miles produce usually must travel to reach supermarket shelves."

The greenhouse will grow over one million pounds of salad greens, herbs and tomatoes per year exclusively for Roundy's.

"We're thrilled that we can offer customers access to fresh lettuces, tomatoes and herbs within 24 hours of harvest," said Roundy's CEO Bob Mariano.

"Together with BrightFarms we're working to improve the food supply chain -- a win for the environment and a big step in the right direction."

In addition to supplying Mariano’s stores with year round local produce, the greenhouse will create permanent green collar jobs, reduce transportation of produce items usually shipped across the country, and help improve the environmental impact of the food supply chain.

In other news, BrightFarms has also secured deals to supply Shoprite and Wegman’s food stores from its Pennsylvania greenhouse.

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