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Farming entrepreneurs growing crops in a disused London bomb shelter seal Ocado deal

Growing Underground, the inner-city farm that’s growing crops beneath London’s streets, has struck a deal with a major online grocer to carry its first retail range of salads.

The business, which was founded by entrepreneurs Steven Dring, Richard Ballard and Chris Nelson, has entered into an agreement with Ocado which will see its range of mixed salads stocked at the online grocer.

In what is the first major retail deal for the firm, which started five years ago, a range of five bagged salads will be available to shoppers from today.

Housed 100 feet beneath Clapham High Street in a World War II bomb shelter, Growing Underground’s micro herbs and salads are grown in a carefully-controlled and pest-free environment which the entrepreneurs claim allows them to produce crops of consistent quality, regardless of the weather or season.

The firm’s approach has even secured backing from celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr, who helps to oversee production and ensures quality from a taste perspective.

Following today’s launch, Co-Founder Steven Dring, said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to have secured this deal with Ocado.

“We’ve been working for years to perfect what we do and we’re so excited about this retail range; sustainable, low-energy growing of exceptional produce is a central part of our ethos and we’re delighted that through this partnership with the UK’s leading online supermarket we can now share our amazing micro-herbs with consumers.

“We’re so pleased that Ocado have put their faith in a small start-up that is working hard to promote innovation and sustainability in British farming, and are very encouraged by what this could mean for the future of the industry.”

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