542: Paul Lightfoot on Local is the New Organic.
Bringing awareness to the value of local food systems.
In This Podcast:
Picture buying salad greens at the grocery store that were just picked the day before. Paul Lightfoot from BrightFarms is making this happen in the stores around their farm. Passionate about getting fresh food to more people, Paul discusses the benefits of local vs organic food, how shortening the supply chain provides fresher, safer food, and the nutritional value decline. Listen in to hear about the setup and safety protocols at BrightFarms so they ensure healthy, safe food.
Our Guest:
Paul is BrightFarms’ founder and president and leads the company on its mission to provide consumers with the freshest, tastiest, and most responsibly grown produce.
Through his vision, BrightFarms is creating the first national brand of locally grown produce. In 2017, BrightFarms was named 235th on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies, ranking 10th among all food companies and the only produce company featured on the list. Paul is a member of the board of United Fresh Produce Association.
They believe Local, indoor produce is fresher because it’s grown closer to where it’s sold. It is cleaner because it can be grown without pesticides. And most importantly, it tastes better.
BrightFarms is the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, serving the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown produce to consumers nationwide. BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms in the communities it serves, enabling them to eliminate time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain.
Listen in and learn about:
- Local food vs organic food
- Replacing longer supply chains to get fresher, safer foods
- The United Fresh Produce Association
- The food safety protocols practiced at BrightFarms and what their set up looks like
- Nutritional value of food and how it declines after being picked
- Current food and agriculture revolutions around local, pesticide free products
As well as:
His failure – Intertwining his sense of identity with his first business venture instead of keeping them separate.
His success – BrightFarms and the growth they have already had.
His drive – Working in an area where he is passionate and inspired.
His advice – Be kind and get into an industry where you are passionate.
Paul’s Book recommendations*:
How to reach Paul:
Website: brightfarms.com
Facebook: BrightFarms
Instagram: brightfarms
Twitter: @brightfarms
UrbanFarm.org/brightfarms
*Disclosure:
Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
