Indoor farming companies 80 Acres Farms and Soli Organic have announced a merger to create a combined entity under the 80 Acres Farms name. Headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, the new company is projecting revenues of nearly $200 million in its first year of operation and will serve more than 17,000 retail locations across the United States.
The merger brings together 80 Acres Farms’ technology-driven production with Soli Organic’s established retail network and experience in organic farming. Together, the combined company aims to expand its product portfolio, improve supply chain resilience, and strengthen operational capabilities.
“This merger unites two top operators that, together, have the scale, economics, and teams to deliver the results that the industry has been waiting for,” said Mike Zelkind, co-founder of 80 Acres Farms and CEO of the combined company.
“Both companies have spent decades developing enhanced technology, improving operations, and building winning brands. Our value proposition is clear: fresher, better-tasting produce that’s pesticide- and heavy metal-free, locally grown, climate-resilient, and built for shelf life.”
Walter Robb, former Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, Co-chairman of Soli Organic, and a board member of the new company, noted the merger’s importance for retailers. “Retailers today want differentiated products, surety of supply, and a compelling story. Given recent trade volatility, indoor agriculture is playing an increasingly important role for retailers. The combined company checks all the boxes: great product quality, increased product portfolio, supply chain resilience, and enhanced customer choice through both vertical farming and field-grown organic products.”
Also read: INTERVIEW | How a Student Built IoT Kit, JalSaathi, Tackles Water Waste in Indian Farming
80 Acres Farms, founded in 2015 by Mike Zelkind and Tisha Livingston, operates indoor vertical farms built on its proprietary GroLoop platform, an integrated system that combines hardware, software, and environmental controls to manage every aspect of production — from lighting and irrigation to climate and nutrient delivery. The platform uses data and automation to optimize crop growth, improve yields, and reduce inputs, allowing the company to produce food more efficiently. All farms run on renewable electricity and are designed to use up to 95 percent less water per pound of produce compared with conventional agriculture. The company markets a range of products, including salads, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, and dressings, which are distributed through national retailers and restaurants.
Soli Organic, founded in 1989, is a long-established indoor agriculture company and a leader in USDA-certified organic production. Known primarily for fresh organic herbs, Soli Organic supplies thousands of retail outlets and has built expertise in agronomy and organic systems over more than three decades.
The merged company will build on Soli Organic’s retail presence to reach more than 17,000 storefronts nationwide, supported by a farm and logistics network designed for regional coverage and just-in-time delivery. With seven vertical farms already in operation, it expects to produce 15–20 million pounds of fresh produce annually.
The product portfolio will include salad blends, salad kits, herbs, tomatoes, and microgreens. These will be targeted not only at retail markets but also at foodservice and convenience sectors.
Technology Integration
A central feature of the merger is the integration of the GroLoop platform, developed by Infinite Acres, a subsidiary of 80 Acres Farms. The platform uses precision engineering, environmental controls, and AI-powered insights to increase yield, improve consistency, and reduce input costs. It also enables better forecasting, inventory planning, and distribution efficiency, helping to reduce food waste.
Soli Organic brings its proprietary organic growing system, refined through decades of commercial-scale production, to complement GroLoop’s technology. According to the companies, this combination creates a system designed to deliver reliable and cost-effective production across different crops and facility types.
“GroLoop was built to adapt and scale across crops, climates, and facility types. By combining it with Soli’s reach, experience, and knowledge in agronomy, we’re able to move faster, work smarter, and deliver more value across the entire supply chain.”
Ulf Jonsson, a founder of Soli Organic, pointed to the advantages of vertical farming over traditional greenhouse systems. “I spent the first part of my career helping build some of the most advanced greenhouse systems in the world. But we’ve moved beyond what greenhouses can deliver. I’ve said for years, ‘The sun is free, but it’s not worth the cost.’ Vertical farms offer greater consistency, quality, and yield. I’m excited about combining two leading technologies to create the system that will define the next generation of indoor agriculture.”
Supply Chain and Growth Outlook
The merged entity plans to leverage vertically integrated operations and real-time data visibility to improve supply chain performance. According to the companies, this structure will allow for reduced food waste, longer shelf life, and more reliable service nationwide.
The merger also builds on recent investments by 80 Acres Farms and its affiliates, including acquisitions of facilities and intellectual property from Kalera, an Israeli biotech partnership with Plantae Biosciences, and the addition of a salad dressing line through Reunion Foods. These investments have been aimed at broadening product offerings and strengthening operational capacity.
With combined technical, operational, and retail expertise, the new 80 Acres Farms will focus on scaling production and distribution while maintaining a product line that is pesticide-free, heavy metal-free, and USDA Organic certified.
Verbitsky Capital served as financial advisor to Soli Organic in the transaction.