7-Eleven Partners with Indoor Farming for Sustainable Lettuce Procurement
Key Highlights:
- 7-Eleven has teamed up with Plenty Unlimited, a leader in indoor vertical farming, to enhance its fresh produce offerings in California, as announced on Thursday.
- The collaboration will bring pesticide-free lettuce from Plenty’s vertical farms located in Compton, California, into pre-packaged salads available at 1,300 of 7-Eleven’s stores across the state.
- As part of ongoing improvements to its food program, 7-Eleven is also expanding its commissary network, enhancing its coffee services, and increasing private-label product offerings.
Industry Insights:
7-Eleven is shifting towards a food-centric model in the U.S., mirroring its successful operations in Japan. During the company’s fiscal Q1 earnings call, President Stan Reynolds emphasized the initiative to broaden the fresh food menu as part of a comprehensive modernization strategy.
These modernization efforts encompass the growth of the Warabeya commissary network. The latest facility in Virginia introduced new items like a potato, egg, and cheese taco, with plans for additional products, such as a hamburger steak bento in December.
The introduction of Plenty’s lettuce aims to further “innovate and diversify our product lineup,” according to Deanna Hall, senior product director at 7-Eleven. In a statement, she added, “Adding Plenty to our salad options in California is just one of the many ways we’re adapting our fresh food selections to meet customer needs.”
California represents one of 7-Eleven’s top markets, with approximately one-sixth of the chain’s North American locations reported during an earnings Q&A in October 2023.
Plenty’s vertical farming system allows for year-round lettuce cultivation indoors, relying on minimal soil and specialized lighting. This method eliminates the need for pesticides, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainable farming practices.
According to Plenty’s data, these vertical farms yield up to 350 times more produce per acre and can reduce water usage by as much as 90% compared to conventional farming methods. Though water conservation for produce was not part of 7-Eleven’s sustainability strategy, the chain is dedicated to minimizing water consumption in its stores.
Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven’s chief marketing and sustainability officer, affirmed that the collaboration “will not only meet our customers’ high standards for quality but will also positively impact environmental sustainability at a broader scale.”
Plenty’s lettuce will specifically be included in the California cobb salad and chicken Caesar salad offerings, as highlighted in the announcement.
With its headquarters in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven manages and operates over 13,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada.
Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.