New 10,00m², fully automated, climate-controlled facility will produce 3.4mn kilograms of product
Australian controlled environment agriculture specialist Stacked Farm has broken ground on its second fully automated indoor vertical farm located at Melbourne Airport.
The company’s first facility on the Gold Coast reached full capacity in 2024 and its latest A$150m venture is set to raise the bar.
The 10,000m², fully automated, climate-controlled facility will produce 3.4mn kilograms of fresh, high-quality herbs and leafy greens annually. Stacked Farm specialises in growing cos and mixed leaf lettuces, spinach, rocket, basil, coriander and parsley, among others.
Fully automated from seed to bag via 25 pieces of proprietary robotics, the facility will require only 15 staff members to operate, comprising farm operators, horticulturists and technical maintenance engineers. The production timeline is also quicker than traditional farming methods, with crops ready to harvest in just 16 to 31 days, compared to 45 to 80 days,
The farm will also be powered entirely by green energy, operate with a zero-waste water system, and use cutting-edge robotics to deliver fresh produce 365 days a year.
Sam Canavan, chief operating officer of Stacked Farm, said the Melbourne facility would be a game-changer and it is set
“Our cutting-edge design and proprietary technology are redefining farming efficiency and setting a new global benchmark. This is the future of fresh food, built by a world-class team,” said Canavan.
“Aussies want fresh, nutrient-packed food without the mark-up. They crave real flavour, fewer additives, and maximum nutrition, but rising costs make healthy eating feel out of reach. That’s where we come in. Stacked Farm is quite literally growing the solution—top-tier produce at prices that make sense, fuelling a healthier nation.”
