Vertical farm operator GoodLeaf Farms announced last week it expects to break ground on a new indoor vertical farm in the Montreal area by autumn – its first expansion since building its Guelph, Ont. plant in 2019.

Founded by Halifax entrepreneur Gregg Curwin in 2011, GoodLeaf grows micro greens indoors year-round using data science, LED lighting and advanced watering and fertilizing techniques to produce the most environmentally friendly produce available.

The company received a $30 million investment from McCain Foods in February, at which time the company said it would build two more Canadian farms, in Quebec and in Western Canada.

McCain Foods, which first invested in the company several years ago, said it has now invested a total of $65 million in GoodLeaf. The Florenceville, NB-based food giant is the largest shareholder in GoodLeaf, though it remains a minority shareholder.

"It is GoodLeaf's intention to build a stable of indoor vertical farms that support the Canadian grocery network, food service industry and consumers — starting with an expansion into Quebec," said CEO Barry Murchie in a statement. "We are committed to growing in the Province of Quebec and are encouraged by the support and collaboration we have been getting from stakeholders and all levels of government. We are looking forward to finalizing all of the details."

Following its first operation in the Truro, N.S., area, the company built its 45,000-square-foot commercial-scale farm in Guelph in 2019. The venture plans to announce the opening of a Western Canadian farm soon.

GoodLeaf plans to grow pea shoots, micro radish, micro arugula, micro Asian blend, spicy mustard medley, baby kale and baby arugula at the Quebec farm. It expects this produce to be in grocery stores across Quebec and in Atlantic Canada by fall 2022.

Because the farm is an environment that is almost clinical, the operations require no pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. It also uses 95 percent less water than a traditional outdoor farm, the company said. 

"We want to be a global leader in vertical farming," said. Murchie. "But our first step is growing across Canada and establishing GoodLeaf as Canada's leader in vertical farming. That starts with our expansion into Quebec."