Coop Denmark has announced plans to introduce vertical kitchen gardens offering store-grown herbs to all 69 Irma stores.
The decision follows a successful pilot project in its stores in Copenhagen.
Irma director, Søren Steffensen, said that the vertical farming initiative has been "such a success, because it combines better taste, freshness and sustainability - while keeping production as close to consumers as possible".
Production Facility
The retailer has collaborated with German vertical farming company infarm on the project and set up its first production facility in Høje Tåstrup, Denmark.
The facility will supply herbs to small Irma stores that do not have plants and supplement other stores that are unable to keep up with demands.
Experts from infarm will visit Irma stores in central Copenhagen to inspect and harvest the herbs, the retailer added.
Commenting on the partnership, infarm vice-president, Daniel Kats, said, "We are excited about a successful and fruitful partnership with Irma / Coop, and we look forward to offering our premium products to even more Irma customers."
Sustainable Herbs
The pesticide-free herbs are grown in special cabinets, which reduce water consumption and transport requirements.
The plants require about three weeks to grow before they are ready for sale.
Infarm has also partnered with Marks & Spencer in the UK and Kroger in the US for in-store herbs.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
