Waitrose Welcomes Planet Farms’ Vertically Farmed Salads In UK First

Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to stock vertically farmed salads from Italian agritech pioneer Planet Farms, marking a major milestone for sustainable fresh produce.

The premium retailer is initially offering two Planet Farms SKUs – Lattugood and Rocket – Spicy But Nice – in 150g packs priced at £2.30. Grown entirely without pesticides in a high-tech, soil-free environment near Milan, the ready-to-eat leafy greens boast extended shelf-life and year-round availability.

Planet Farms uses a fully automated, closed-loop system to cultivate crops in stacked layers under LED lighting. The controlled environment enables faster growth with less water, while also reducing food miles and eliminating the need for chemical treatments.

The launch follows the recent opening of the company’s second facility near Milan – the largest vertical farm in Europe – where Planet Farms says it can harvest 120,000 units of salad per day. The company’s goal is to expand its footprint across Europe, with further launches planned in the coming months.

“This is the future of farming,” said Planet Farms co-founder and co-CEO Luca Travaglini. “We are bringing freshness, flavour and sustainability together in a way that hasn’t been done before on this scale.”

Waitrose’s move aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable and locally sourced food solutions. The retailer said it was keen to explore innovative farming methods that reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality or taste.

The salads are currently available in select Waitrose stores and online, and are packaged in fully recyclable, FSC-certified materials.