Pete's Indoor Ag in Georgia and Restaurants Rebounding
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Pete’s, a California-based greenhouse grower, will invest $18 million in opening their first eastern U.S. indoor, controlled environment agriculture facility in Warner Robins in Peach County, Georgia.
The www.gfb.org reports the company is planning on utilizing 24 acres of growing area in Peach County to satisfy their retail and foodservice partners’ needs.
The indoor growing facility will require 90% less land and water compared to traditional farming.
For more on career opportunities with Pete’s … go to www.eatpetes.com .
www.gfb.org/media-and-publications/news.cms/2021/1020/pete-s-to-open-indoor-farming-facility-in-peach-county
**The restaurant industry appears to be on the rebound with more restaurants reporting a surge in demand.
Restaurant Business Online reports pent-up demand comments are coming from the executives of casual-dining chains with more of those restaurants banking on the added demand to drive strong growth this year.
According to www.agweb.com, the National Restaurant Association says in the past year, food businesses across the country reported $240 billion in losses, with more than 110-thousand restaurants shutting down for good.
www.agweb.com/news/business/taxes-and-finance/resurgence-restaurant-demand-consumer-demographics-possibly-change?mkt
**The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has announced $169.9 million in funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
www.thepacker.com reports, the funds will support the expanding specialty crop food sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
Congress provided this funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021, due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system.
www.thepacker.com/news/industry/developing-new-markets-specialty-crops-and-expanding-existing-ones?mkt
