Urban Farm-It, located at Oakland International’s site in Redditch, Worcestershire, aims to significantly reduce food miles and advance a greener supply chain through its new farm initiative.
The facility boasts a 190-square-metre fruiting room with a capacity of seven tonnes. It is equipped with cutting-edge bespoke lighting and industry-leading AEM climate control technology, ensuring optimal growing conditions.
As part of Oakland International’s BRC-accredited open food pack house, the farm benefits greatly from 24/7 delivery capabilities, enabling rapid distribution of fresh, locally grown produce directly to customers.
Additionally, the site features advanced environmental waste systems, including plastic recycling and anaerobic digestion of spent substrate. Urban Farm-It has placed sustainability at the forefront of its mission and is certified by both Red Tractor and the Soil Association.
Urban Farm-It’s Chief Operating Officer, Luke Attwell, commented: “Our partnership with Urban Farm-It brings an innovative mushroom farm to our Redditch site, supporting our goal to reduce food miles and build a more sustainable supply chain. By growing fresh produce directly at our facility, we’re cutting emissions, improving freshness, and showing what’s possible when logistics and farming come together in the same space.”
In addition, CEO Elliot Webb stated: “Urban Farm-It is thrilled to partner with industry leaders Oakland International. Together, we bring the best bits of both our industries in a new look business that aims to change the food production and service game forever.”
Urban Farm-It opened its first commercial farm in Ash, Kent, in 2024, where it now specializes in organic fresh and dried lion’s mane mushrooms. Earlier this year, it made headlines as the first firm to bring fresh lion’s mane to market in Sainsbury’s.
On a related note, Oakland International is a family-owned business operating across the UK and Ireland. It provides logistics and value-added services, including contract packing, tempering, and distress load management, for various clients.
