Thankfully, there is still a lot of interest in modern and next-generation farming around the world. The issue is obvious. Food imports are a constant source of dependence for the Philippines. I want to see Future Fresh products in every refrigerator in the Philippines. We intend to establish the biggest farming network in the Philippines, starting with at least 15 locations. According to Derya Tanghe, co-founder of Manila-based vertical farming firm Future Fresh, “a site will be a combination of a vertical indoor farm hub and spokes of greenhouse farmers and partner farms.”
In Metro Manila, Future Fresh operates two indoor farms with a combined total of 24 containers that have been converted into indoor vertical farms. Derya explains that their unique grow lights have undergone over 12 system evolutions, compared to their modern farming technology’s four system evolutions. Around 1,250 m2 of cultivation space is available from these two locations.
Product selection
Currently, the company offers 50 distinct products. They provide lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, salad mixes, fresh mushrooms as well as mushroom powder, as well as vegetables grown in greenhouses such as melons, different varieties of tomato, pepper, and eggplant.
Omnichannel strategy
Derya claims that more and more consumers are clamoring for food and products that are produced locally. Future Fresh offers accessibility, which reaches a larger market through an omni-channel distribution from retail and supermarkets, through an omni-channel distribution. Along with its own direct-to-customer website, online partners that offer the products alongside theirs, F&B, and restaurants are also available. Large off-takers and companies are also added. Customers are often surprised that fruit and vegetables can last for weeks when they are picked on the same day.
Cooperating with farmers as a food hub
“Through our hub, we are working with greenhouse growers to provide a wide selection of products. These centers will cut down on food waste and food miles while making fresh produce and vegetables less sensitive to supply chain disruptions. One strategy for addressing the need to strengthen agricultural and food production’s resilience is vertical farming. However, the Philippines is home to many skilled farmers and greenhouse growers. They are enthusiastic growers. We can be the partner they’ve been waiting for because, as farmers, we are the ones who best understand the problems they face, “Derya declares.”
Large metropolises with active economies will serve as the hub’s focal points. Future Fresh will set up a network of farms that are all connected to each other. Skilled greenhouse farmers will be used as partner farms and spokes to find local products and send them directly to the hub so that they can be sorted and sent to customers on the same day.
Expanding agriculture in the Philippines
In addition to being the third-largest and most populous city in the Philippines after Manila and Davao, Cebu presents a chance to advance modern farming and the Future Fresh brand. Future Fresh aims to be the first to establish itself there because Derya doesn’t think there is another contemporary indoor farm there. “Our most recent innovation, moving away from container farms and toward a plant factory structure, will be the farm in Cebu. “The total farm site will be less than 1,000 m2 in size,” he says.
So far, around $3 million has been raised for Future Fresh. They are now going through a pre-series A investment round to move forward with their new growth plan, which is to modernize agriculture in the Philippines in a way that helps everyone.
For more information:
Derya Tanghe, Co-founder
Future Fresh
www.futurefresh.ph
The post Future Fresh and products to be added as demand rises… – Manila News appeared first on Petgais News.