Oishii brings vertically-grown strawberries west with LA farm

Indoor vertical strawberry grower Oishii recently announced the opening of a new farm in Los Angeles.

The company’s West Coast expansion marks the first time Oishii’s strawberries are available outside of the greater New York area.

Oishii – which means ‘delicious’ in Japanese – is known for their Omakase Berry, a Japanese strawberry varietal “regarded for its sweetness, aroma, and creamy texture,” according to a news release from the company.

Oishii, which has claimed to be the first to vertically grow strawberries for the commercial market, doesn’t use pesticides in its farms, according to a news release from the company. The indoor-grown berries are pollenated by bees.

Oishii’s berries will be available for sale at Destroyer, the Culver City cafe atelier from Chef Jordan Kahn, according to the news release.

The Omakase Berry was first introduced to food service in 2018, via high-profile chefs in New York, according to the news release.

Oishii’s west coast expansion comes on the heels of remarkable growth for the company, according to the news release. In March, Oishii closed a $50 million Series A, with funding dedicated to opening new markets and investing in research and development. The company is developing other new strawberry varietals, as well as other types of flowering produce, such as tomatoes, melons and peppers.

Above, a publicity shot for Oishii’s expansion to Los Angeles. Photo: Oishii

Startup claims first vertically grown, commercially sold strawberries