Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 Member FDIC CONGRATS TO OUR 2021 FINALISTS! We wish you continued success and prosperity. Thanks for a great competition. We hope you will apply again in 2022! Replay the Livestream at GorhamSavings.Bank/LaunchPad B R I E F Aquaponics farm takes major step getting into 184 Hannaford stores B Y M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N L i s b o n — Springworks Farm's new 40,000-square-foot greenhouse is the first step in a five-year 400,000-square foot expansion of the aquaponics grow- ing operation. "I could not be happier with the progress," Trevor Kenkel, Springworks' founder, said. The expansion will allow the farm, which produces lettuce and other greens, to double its workforce to 30 and triple its output. The production ramp-up will also meet the demand of the producer's part- nership with Hannaford Supermarkets, which will sell Springworks lettuce in all 184 of its stores in New England and New York. Hannaford President Mike Vail said that the partnership has gone beyond the "nice" aspect of focusing on local produce to "a very strong strategic move" by the Scarborough-based chain. "We've seen the impact on the supply chain" from the COVID-19 pandemic, Vail told the dozens gathered in front of the new greenhouse at an event June 19. Supply chain challenges, as well as uncertainty about product quality and the expense and environmental impact of transporting lettuce and other produce from California, has made the focus on locally sourced products vital, he said. Sierra Kenkel, Springworks vice president and Trevor's sister, said they fondly remember their first order from Hannaford, to supply lettuce at five stores. "This is a very exciting day for us," she told the gathering. Not only will the expansion allow the farm to produce more lettuce and other greens, but also expand its prod- uct line, she said. Climate, local sourcing Springworks, already New England's first and largest aquaponics grower, will add four greenhouses to the three now on the 168-acre farm, bringing the total greenhouse space at the farm to nearly 500,000 square feet by 2026. Priority Real Estate Group, of Topsham, built the new greenhouse, and will also be the contractor on the next four. Priority President and CEO Jim Howard told Mainebiz that it's exciting being part of Springworks' growth. "It's impressive," he said. "We're looking forward to working with them on the expansion." The $4 million project got a boost from a $300,000 Maine Technology Institute grant last August. The grant was part of the Maine Technology Asset Fund 2.5E, which supports projects that align with the state's 10-year strategic economic development plan and have significant economic impact, particularly in rural Maine. Kenkel bought the 168-acre farm in 2014, when he was a student at Bowdoin. The greenhouse that opened recently is the third he's built on the site, with the other two opening in 2015 and 2018. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S P R I N G WO R K S Springworks founder Trevor Kenkel, left, and Hannaford President Mike Vail celebrate the ribbon-cutting of a new greenhouse at the Lisbon aquaponics' farm. Vail announced that Springworks produce is being sold in all 184 Hannaford stores. The $4 million project got a boost from a $300,000 Maine Technology Institute grant.

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