Terra Tech Corp (TRTC) subsidiary Edible Garden, a hydroponic herb and produce cultivator, signed a distribution deal with GroRite Greenhouse and Garden Centers in May of this year.
Under the terms of the agreement Edible Garden and GroRite planned to convert up to 35,000 square feet of greenhouse space at GroRite's retail location in Lincoln Park, New Jersey into a hydroponic cultivation facility. The companies have recently finished converting 8,000 square feet and are currently harvesting and packaging 4,500 living basil plants from the facility. The Edible Garden hydroponic basil will be shipped throughout the Northeast to their current retail partners.
"While finishing the construction of our flagship facility in Belvidere we were also able to complete another step in expanding our cultivation footprint," says Derek Peterson, CEO of Terra Tech Corp. "This facility came on line at the perfect time for us as demand for our products is high throughout the holiday season. We plan to continue converting the remaining 27,000 square feet and expect it to be operational in early 2014."
The Lincoln Park facility is situated within a few hours drive of the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania markets allowing them to efficiently service those areas with Edible Garden's fresh, living and locally grown produce. The operation is also conveniently located near the Hunts Point Produce Market, the largest produce market in the world, which serves an estimated 22 million people within a 50-mile radius. Edible Garden is currently seeding butterhead lettuce in the new space at Lincoln Park for sale and delivery to foodservice wholesalers through the market.
"While our primary focus has been grocers and other specialty retailers, we are beginning to cultivate products for wholesale into the food service industry. Having Manhattan just across the bridge gives us a major marketplace for servicing restaurants, hotels and other foodservice consumers as well," explains Ken Vande Vrede, COO of Terra Tech.
