US (MN): Sustainable lettuce greenhouse breaks ground in Medford

A veteran team of greenhouse growers announces it has broken ground on a new, breakthrough facility in Medford, Minn., that will supply Midwest grocers and restaurants with fresh, locally grown lettuce all year long. The new brand, Revol Greens, is scheduled to appear in Twin Cities’ grocery stores this December.

Revol Greens will tap the latest technology in greenhouse innovation, including responsible and sustainable growing practices, to grow high-quality lettuce 365 days a year. Its greenhouse is designed to maximize natural light, growing year-round by supplementing with LED lighting during winter. In addition, Revol Greens will use a fraction of the water consumed in traditional growing and will cover most of its needs by capturing rain and snowmelt from its roof.

“Our goal is to make Revol Greens lettuce the most sustainable on the market,” said Jay Johnson, one of Revol Greens partners, who is also the founder and former owner of Owatonna-based Bushel Boy Farms—one of the first U.S. greenhouses to grow tomatoes year round. “With 100 collective years of greenhouse growing and operating experience, our team is committed to offering the freshest, high-quality lettuce to the local marketplace.”

The Revol Greens’ leadership team includes Marco de Bruin and Steve Amundson, who helped Johnson grow Bushel Boy to be the largest supplier of locally grown tomatoes in Minnesota before Johnson sold the company in 2011. Marc Vergeldt, a well-known greenhouse crop consultant, and Brendon Krieg, who formerly managed leafy greens and greenhouse buying for Target, are also part of the Revol Greens team.

Revol Greens will offer several lettuce varieties, including spinach, mixed greens and romaine—all grown in a protected greenhouse environment providing optimal growing conditions without the use of pesticides or herbicides. In addition, Revol Greens lettuce will arrive in area grocers and restaurants much faster than lettuce currently shipped from California and Arizona, leading to a fresher eating experience.

“Our location, just south of the Twin Cities, gives us quick and easy access to Minnesota, Iowa and Western Wisconsin markets, greatly reducing the amount of time from harvest to grocers’ shelves,” Johnson added. “We look forward to introducing Revol Greens to consumers later this year and giving them access to fresh lettuce grown close to home.”

For more information:
Revol Greens
2781 Northwest 50th Street
Medford, MN, 55049
info@revolgreens.com
revolgreens.com