BrightFarms, Irvington, N.Y., announced plans to break ground on a sustainable greenhouse farm in Abilene, Texas, this spring, making it the company’s fifth facility in the United States.

The 195,000-square-foot greenhouse farm will provide locally grown salad greens and herbs that are pesticide-free, non-GMO and Texas-grown to supermarkets in the region starting in early 2019.

Additionally, the greenhouse will use an estimated 80% less water, 90% less land and 95% less shipping fuel than West Coast salad farming operations.

“Meeting the demand for local produce is a challenge for grocery retailers,” says Paul Lightfoot, chief executive officer. “We are solving this problem by building commercial scale, year-round local farms and delivering the freshest and most flavorful baby greens and herbs to our customers within 24 hours of harvest. Texas and the City of Abilene have welcomed us with open arms, and we couldn’t be more excited to serve this region.” 

Shoppers will see a variety of packaged salad greens on shelves next year, including spring mix, spinach, baby kale, romaine, arugula and others.

The Abilene facility will create as many as 30 permanent “green-collar” jobs for local residents.