For the vast majority of my life, even as a retail expert who has covered the industry for over 30 years, I never thought much about supply chains outside of work. When I went to a grocery store, it nearly always had what I wanted.
During the Covid pandemic, however, supply chains became a dinner topic because our stores were running out of, or had run out of, key supplies. In some cases, it was minor. You wanted Bounty, but had to settle for Brawny or even Viva.
When it came to toilet paper, however, that’s when people really noticed, and panic buying stepped up. Americans weren’t going to the bathroom more. They were not going to the office, so our supply of toilet paper wasn’t geared for our quickly changing needs.
MIT supply chain expert Yossi Sheffi commented on the product shortages during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
“People are worried about the food supply chain,” Sheffi said. “However, the U.S. food supply chain is very robust. There is unbelievable panic buying, but if you go to the [major chain] stores in the morning, most of them are well-stocked.”
That experience made supply chains something consumers could no longer ignore. Today, the grocery industry is facing a very different kind of disruption.
Now, the loss of a major supplier, 80 Acres Farms, which has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, could impact the supply of certain produce items at grocery store chains including Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, H-E-B, The Fresh Market, and Meijer.
80 Acres Farms expanded earlier this year
While 80 Acres Farms may not be a household name, the company supplies produce to a number of major grocery chains nationally.
“80 Acres Farms is a vertical farming company operating next-generation ‘smart farms’ that supply retailers and foodservice partners with pesticide-free produce year-round,” the company shared in a press release.
The company’s branded salads, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, and dressings are available in more than 17,000 retail locations nationwide.
A bankruptcy filing comes as a surprise, because the company expanded its operation into micro-greens back in January.
“Microgreens deliver some of the most concentrated flavor and nutrition you’ll find in fresh produce, which is why they’ve been an important part of our business for years,” said CEO Mike Zelkind in the press release. “This expansion demonstrates our retail partners’ confidence in our ability to deliver that quality and consistency at scale.”
It was an expansive launch with Albertson’s, Dorothy Lane Markets, The Fresh Market, H-E-B, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Meijer, Metro Market, Pick ‘n Save, Safeway, and Walmart, all carrying the new line. The microgreens were also available at restaurants via U.S. Foods.
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80 Acres Farms files Chapter 7 bankruptcy
80 Acres Farms filed for Chapter bankruptcy on August 25, and the company will be liquidated, according to court documents filed on PacerMonitor.
Zelkind noted in a statement that the company has been unable to secure the necessary capital to continue the business, Agrifunder News (AFN) reported.
“After an exhaustive effort to find a way forward, 80 Acres Farms is winding down operations,” he said.
The company, which was based in Ohio, filed for Chapter 7 banruptcy in Delaware court. It reported $100 million to $500 million in both assets and liabilities.
“We’re proud of our work, the problems we solved, and the fresh, clean produce that fed so many people,” Zelkind said. “Unfortunately, under current circumstances, we could not secure the capital required to continue that work.”
Related: Dining chain sued after closing all locations
80 Acres Farms Chapter 7 at a glance
- Filing date: August 25, 2026
- Bankruptcy type: Chapter 7
- Court: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware
- Case No. 26-11324-BLS in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.
- 200-999 creditors.
- Assets: $100 million–$500 million
- Liabilities: $100 million–$500 million
- Status: The company is winding down operations and faces liquidation under Chapter 7.
- Reason for filing: CEO Mike Zelkind said 80 Acres was unable to secure the capital needed to continue the business.
- Sources: PacerMonitor, Agrifunder News
Indoor farming has struggled
80 Acres Farms has raised more than $350 million, and merged in 2025 with Soli Organic to create what the companies then called “one of the world’s largest and most advanced indoor farming networks.”
“We’re strong believers that this industry is necessary,” Zelkind told = at the time. “The question is when and who, not when and if will happen. I hope this is the start of a new era.”
News of the closure follows a long list of vertical farming companies that have shuttered since 2022, including Plenty, InFarm, Bowery, and many others.
The indoor farming market, has been growing.
“The global indoor farming market size was valued at $50.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from $56.4 billion in 2026 to $119.7 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2026 to 2033,” according to a Grand View Research report.
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“Plant factories are failing, with multiple companies closing or going bankrupt in recent months. This includes the largest vertical farm on the planet, in Compton, Los Angeles,” wrote University College London Professor Gail Taylor.
She does not, however, think that indoor farming will fail, and she believes that there are multiple things working against it right now.
“Among the reasons for the business failures are rising energy costs; the fact that traditional farming is cheaper, making it hard to compete on price; and the fact that rising interest rates have made financing more expensive,” she wrote.
Indoor farming is growing
The United States is not the leader in the indoor farming space.
“The market in Europe dominated with a revenue share of 32.1% in 2025. Increasing consumer awareness regarding the advantages of consuming fresh and high-quality food is expected to drive the growth of the market,” Grand View added.
80 Acres Farms products will no longer be sold in stores, at least for now. They could return if a company buys the brand’s assets and opts to restart operations.
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