The startup Plenty is revolutionizing the way green vegetables are grown in Compton, California, using robots and indoor farming technology. During a tour of their facilities, it was evident that their unique process resulted in fresh and flavorful lettuce like never before.

Traditional agriculture relies on sunlight, soil, and human labor, but Plenty has found a way to eliminate these elements from the equation. Their highly automated indoor farm functions more like a factory, starting with the robotic planting of seeds in a specialized eight-story nursery room, illuminated by LEDs optimized for each specific crop.

Once the seedlings reach maturity, they are carefully transplanted by more robots onto vertical frames, which are then placed in large vertical growing rooms. Because no pesticides are used, and there is no human contact required during the growth process, the vegetables are exceptionally clean and safe to eat straight from the package, without the need for washing.

During the tour, the reporter had the opportunity to taste freshly harvested arugula and lettuce directly from the robotic harvester and packaging machine. The flavors and textures were incredibly delicious, surpassing those of traditional packaged lettuce.

A notable advantage of Plenty’s indoor farming method is its water efficiency. It requires only a fraction of the water that traditional agriculture demands and allows for year-round vegetable cultivation. This high-tech approach has the potential to make local agriculture viable in almost any location.

While the price may be comparable to organic vegetables, Plenty’s products are available in stores such as Whole Foods and Gelson’s. Trying vegetables grown by robots not only provides a unique culinary experience but also serves as an interesting story to share at the table.

Source: Original article.