Eco Convergence Group, Orlando, Fla., changed its corporate name to Kalera.

Kalera also began construction of a state-of-the-art indoor growing facility in Orlando, designed to provide an abundance of greens for the hospitality, grocery and foodservice industries.

This new growing facility is said to be the single largest indoor vertical farm of its kind in the Southeastern United States. Kalera will begin production at the new indoor farm sometime in Q4, and is projected to grow over 5 million heads of lettuce annually.

“Our goal at Kalera is to harness plant and data science to deliver new economies of scale in agriculture, making it possible for more people to have access to high-quality, non-GMO, clean, nutritious food, locally grown without the use of pesticides—no matter the season,” says Cristian Toma, chief executive officer. “We have proven the technology and refined our production methods to a point where we are ready to scale up.”  

Each plant grown in Kalera’s precisely controlled hydroponic facilities receives just the right amount of nutrients, filtered water and air, light, temperature and humidity to achieve its dense, crisp, colorful state.

Central to Kalera’s business is the idea of good science. The company plants non-GMO seed to optimize nutrient mixtures, light recipes and environmental controls resulting in highly nutritious vegetables with consistent high-quality year-round. By using a closed loop irrigation system, Kalera’s plants grow while consuming 95% less water compared to field farming. Furthermore, the company utilizes cleanroom technology and processes to eliminate the use of chemicals and remove exposure to pathogens.