Ica Maxi Ängelholm pens contract with Swegreen
The construction and installation of the very first in-store farm in south of Sweden and in the Scania (Skåne) province is sealed. It is Ica Maxi Ängelholm that has its sight set on becoming self-sufficient in case of leafy greens and herb besides being able to offer its customers an exciting holistic shopping experience.
In recent years, Ica Maxi Ängelholm completed a major renovation that resulted in a completely brand-new and modern store. Among other things such as new cooling devices, newfangled lighting, wider aisles and even a broader assortment, they have a larger fruit and vegetable department that is ready to host an exciting new project! They are taking another leap forward with investing in their own in-store farming unit from Swegreen.
– We strive to offer a range of locally produced alternatives and sustainable products to the best of our capacity. With Swegreen's ‘farming as a service’ solution, we had the opportunity to have ambitions of providing our customers with what they desire on top of an exciting shopping experience. The fact that they will be able to shop the crops and vegetables that grow in the store and just behind a glass wall feels sensational!’, says Maxi Ängelholm’s store manager Sebastian Damréus.
Sebastian and his co-workers had heard of hydroponic growing technique earlier but were pleasantly surprised and fascinated when they came across what Swegreen has to offer.
– We were totally surprised that Swegreen's growing solution could give us the opportunity to grow so much in just 60 square meters. The fact that it also produces greens that both tastes better and are more nutritious than traditionally grown alternatives is obviously a big plus. Add to that the whole sustainability aspect and we felt that this is something we needed to investigate more closely, continues Sebastian.
A decision which in its own turn led to Ica Maxi Ängelholm signing a contract to obtain Swegreen’s current largest growing platform ‘Freja’. In 60 square meters, Ica Maxi Ängelholm will be able to grow and harvest up to 450 crops per day, around the clock, all year round.
– Although the climate here in south of Sweden is somewhat favorable, today we are completely dependent on imported fresh vegetables and crops’, Sebastian laughs and continues ‘Something that we could decrease significantly now that we will grow our own greens and herbs. It is of essence to be able to contribute to max our sustainability with everything from reduced CO2 emissions to growing in a completely controlled and circular system that has a minimal environmental impact’.
– We don't have a date set today but will sit down soon and plan for the installation. We are glad and proud to be involved in establishing Skåne's first in-store farm. And of course, hope that more and more could see all the benefits of such systems inside retail stores and restaurants and join us in a movement towards a more hyper-local food system’, concludes Janne Andersson, Global Sales Director of Swegreen.
Sepehr Mousavi
Chief Innovation Officer, Swegreen
Phone: +46 (0) 733 1400 43
Email: sepehr.mousavi@swegreen.se
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