Over the 30 years that AlphaGraphics Seattle has been in business, we have developed strong partnerships with many local and national retailers, providing signs, floor and wall graphics, menus, and point- of-purchase displays.
When Germany-based Infarm recently opened an office in the Seattle area, they contacted us to create the posters, price tags and recipe cards for their local-market introduction at QFC stores. We were eager to put our retail expertise to work in a new and unique setting.
Infarm creates a branded living high-tech “farm” right inside the produce section of local grocery stores, where customers can “harvest” their own herbs and leafy greens. The company has raised more than $300 million in capital to date, and operates across 10 countries and in 30 cities worldwide. Infarm says it harvests in a much more sustainable way than traditional farming and supply chains, using 95% less water, 90% less transport and zero chemical pesticides.
These innovative vertical farms grow in temperature and moisture-controlled cabinets that are monitored and adjusted remotely to continuously optimize growing conditions. Customers get the freshest and highest quality produce possible, grown right in their local supermarket. They take their purchases home alive, with roots still intact.
Infarm’s signage needs presented some unique and interesting challenges for our team. Their specially designed in-store “farms” needed to stand out visually from the grocery store’s typical produce displays. And, since the farm cases are temperature and humidity controlled, our point-of-sale tags and signs needed to stand up to the damp and constantly changing temperature of the environment.
Over the course of the discovery and development process, we made numerous visits to see the Infarm growing cabinets in action. We worked with the Infarm team to suggest and select appropriate synthetic substrates that would perform in the unique environment of the growing cases while still providing the visual brand impact that they desired. During our time working together we have fine-tuned the materials as well the cutting and finishing of the signage to make the appearance and performance the best that it can be.
You can see the Infarm growing cabinets in action at QFC stores in the Seattle area. We think they look as good as the salad and herbs taste.