Mar 27, 2024

Cox Farms debuts with network of 17 greenhouses

Cox Enterprises has launched Cox Farms, with 17 BrightFarms and Mucci Farms greenhouse locations in North America.

Cox Farms represents a commitment to making the world a better place by future-proofing the world of produce and enhancing the company’s more than $2 billion investment in sustainable businesses and technologies. Cox Farms includes indoor farming companies Mucci Farms and BrightFarms, and it will continue to pursue additional ventures and investments in the indoor agriculture space.

“We are excited to build and scale a better future for farmers and consumers by ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable food supply, regardless of calendar or climate,” Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms, said in a news release. “This is a significant milestone for us, as we are disrupting traditional agriculture and bringing the promise of indoor agriculture to fruition at a scale never seen before.”

Cox announced it had acquired BrightFarms in August 2021, and in June 2022 announced it had made a “significant” investment in Mucci Farms. BrightFarms has nine greenhouse operations, and Mucci Farms has eight, including one in Canada and two in Mexico.

Cox Enterprises, a multigenerational family-owned business, has a long history in agriculture dating back 125 years when Ohio farmer-turned-entrepreneur James M. Cox planted the seeds for his first business venture. Today, the company is pioneering the food supply chain revolution through the development of a multinational network of indoor farms. With Mucci Farms and BrightFarms in its growing portfolio, Cox Farms is one of the largest greenhouse operators in North America, harvesting 360 million pounds of produce annually.

“As multigenerational family businesses rooted in a passion for growing fresh produce, we are thrilled to be part of the Cox Farms family as we embark on a partnership fueled by shared values and a collective vision for the future of farming,” Bert Mucci, CEO and managing partner at Mucci Farms, said in the release. “Our mutual drive to innovate in the agriculture space at all levels fuels our mission to enhance accessibility and promote the consumption of clean, sustainable, fruits and vegetables.”

Cox Farms is setting a new standard in quality, breaking yield records year-round, and serving the biggest names in retail across thousands of stores, according to the release.

“BrightFarms is pioneering the future of sustainable agriculture with our advanced indoor farming methods, focusing on producing the freshest, most sustainable leafy greens locally,” Steve Platt, CEO of BrightFarms, said in the release. “Together, we are poised to accelerate and expand our mission, leveraging shared resources and vision to build operation capacity that will make healthy, locally-grown food more accessible while caring for our planet.”

Cox Farms anticipates revenues approaching $1 billion and has nearly 2,500 employees.