​Inside Vertical Farming: Technology, Sustainability, and the Future of Food

In this episode of The More People Podcast, Andrew Fitzmaurice is joined by Jean-Marie Graux, Operations Director at Fisher Farms, to explore one of the most talked-about innovations in modern agriculture: vertical farming.

From Jean-Marie’s international career in fresh produce to the realities of growing food indoors at scale, the conversation offers a fascinating look at how technology, sustainability, and food security are colliding.

A Global Career Rooted in Supply Chains

Jean-Marie’s career in fresh produce spans nearly three decades and multiple countries.

After moving to the UK in the mid-90s, he built his experience across procurement, operations, and commercial roles with major international businesses such as Dole, working largely within exotic fruit supply chains. His background took him into MD-level roles, followed by a period of stepping away from the corporate world to work with startups and early-stage projects.

That shift led to:

• Developing berry farms in Morocco

• Working within the emerging vertical farming space

• Navigating the challenges of scaling food production during COVID

In 2023, Jean-Marie joined Fisher Farms to lead operations at a pivotal stage of growth.

What Is Vertical Farming?

At its core, vertical farming is about producing food in a controlled indoor environment, using stacked growing systems rather than traditional fields or glasshouses.

Fisher Farms was founded in 2016 by Tristan Fisher with a clear mission:
to produce food at scale without damaging the planet.

The business now operates:

• An R&D and semi-commercial site near Lichfield

• A large-scale facility in Norwich, with 25,000 square metres of growing space, currently being ramped up

Crops are grown indoors on shelving systems, using:

• LED lighting

• Hydroponic growing systems

• Precisely controlled temperature, humidity, and climate conditions

While hydroponics itself isn’t new, vertical farming brings proven glasshouse technologies indoors and applies them with far greater environmental control.

The Role of Technology and LED Lighting

One of the biggest enablers of vertical farming has been the rapid advancement of LED technology.

Jean-Marie explains that while the science of light wavelengths is well understood, it’s constantly evolving. Newer LED systems are significantly more efficient than those from just a few years ago, and Fisher Farms works closely with universities to refine how light is used at different stages of a plant’s growth cycle.

This precision allows:

• Optimised photosynthesis

• Improved yields

• Consistent quality year-round

Currently, Fisher Farms focuses on leafy greens - but that’s only the beginning.

Beyond Leafy Greens: The Bigger Picture

Leafy greens are a natural starting point, but they aren’t the end goal.

As Jean-Marie points out, you can’t feed the planet on salad alone. The long-term ambition is to grow:

• Fruits

• Protein-rich crops

• More calorie-dense foods

The challenge isn’t whether it’s technically possible, it is, but whether it can be done affordably. Food produced in vertical farms must remain competitive for the mass market, not just premium niches.

Energy: The Biggest Challenge

Energy is the single biggest cost, and challenge, for vertical farming.

Fisher Farms has taken a proactive approach:

• Operating on 100% renewable energy

• Partnering with nearby solar farms

• Supplementing with offshore wind energy from Norfolk

• Exploring additional sources such as anaerobic digestion

Rather than building energy infrastructure themselves, the business focuses on partnering with existing renewable providers, keeping its core attention on food production and technology.

Can Vertical Farming Work Anywhere?

One of the most exciting aspects of vertical farming is its flexibility.

Fisher Farms is developing modular growing units that:

• Can be installed inside existing buildings or glasshouses

• Avoid lengthy planning processes

• Enable faster scaling

This opens the door to placing food production closer to consumers, reducing transport miles and increasing supply chain resilience.

Supporting, Not Replacing, Traditional Agriculture

A key theme throughout the conversation is realism.

Vertical farming is not positioned as a replacement for traditional agriculture. Instead, it’s a complementary solution - one that:

• De-risks supply chains

• Reduces exposure to weather volatility

• Uses significantly less water

• Enables consistent, year-round production

By controlling the growing environment, yields per square metre can far exceed traditional field farming, while avoiding seasonal limitations.

A Global Trend with Food Security at Its Core

Vertical farming is gaining traction worldwide, particularly in regions where:

• Energy is cheaper

• Food security is a national concern

Countries such as the UAE and parts of North America are investing heavily in controlled-environment agriculture to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen domestic supply.

The UK, however, remains at the forefront in terms of innovation and technological development - despite facing higher energy costs.

Challenges, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

The sector hasn’t been without its struggles. Rising energy prices following the Ukraine crisis placed enormous pressure on vertical farming businesses, and not all have survived.

But resilience, adaptation, and continuous improvement are key.

Fisher Farms believes the future lies in:

• Better technology

• More efficient energy use

• Smarter integration with existing food systems

And with that, new opportunities both commercially and in terms of careers, will continue to emerge.

Final Thoughts

Vertical farming may sit at the “cooler” end of the food industry, but its implications are serious and far-reaching.

As global populations grow, climate pressures increase, and supply chains become more fragile, controlled-environment agriculture offers a powerful tool to support the future of food.

This episode is a compelling introduction to an industry that’s still evolving - and one well worth watching.