# Enormous Lettuce Factories SPREAD Co.'s Sustainable Agricultural System Addresses Food Security By Alyson Wyers | Published 2016-04-29 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-agricultural-system References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2016/04/how-a-robotic-farm-could-lead-to-a-more-sustainable-future.html) & [spread.co.jp](http://spread.co.jp/en/) When it comes to tackling important issues like climate change and sustainability, farming and sustainable agricultural systems are vital. Based in Japan, SPREAD Co. is using [robotic farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automated-planting-system) for sustainable farming purposes. Their eco-friendly and health-conscious vegetable factory Kameoka Plant is the largest scale plant factory in the world and uses 100% artificial lighting. This enables SPREAD Co. to bring fresh vegetables to the public. The [vertical farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-tower) address issues of food security and a growing population. The indoor factory farm's sustainable agricultural system [grows lettuce](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romaine-leaf-lettuce) under carefully controlled circumstances. They ship more than 21,000 heads of lettuce daily, or 7.7 million heads in a year. SPREAD Co. hopes to build a second plant in Kyoto that will produce 30,000 heads a day. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Robotic Farming:** SPREAD Co.'s use of robotic farms is disrupting traditional agriculture practices and paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future - **Vertical Farming:** The Kameoka Plant's use of vertical farming is a trend that provides a solution to issues of food security and growing population while also being environmentally friendly - **Artificial Lighting Agriculture:** SPREAD Co.'s use of artificial lighting to grow lettuce is a trend that addresses the need for access to fresh produce all year round especially in areas with limited sunlight. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Sustainable Agriculture:** SPREAD Co.'s sustainable agricultural system has the potential to reshape the agriculture industry by providing an more efficient, eco-friendly alternative - **Food Production:** Vertical farming using robotic systems could disrupt traditional food production industries by providing a more consistent and year-round supply of fresh produce - **Technology:** The use of robotics and artificial intelligence in agriculture is a trend that is already disrupting traditional farming practices and will continue to do so in the future. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Expansive Local Vertical Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onefarm-vertical-farm.md) - [Modern Indoor Farm Stands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indoor-farm-stand.md) - [Advanced Indoor Farming Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-indoor-farming.md) - [App Controlled Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-farm.md) - [Free-From Salad Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grow-up-farms-unbeleafable.md) - [Smart Spirulina Farming Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edible-algae-cultivation-facility.md) - [Automated Commercial Kitchen Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instafarm.md) - [Packaged Romaine Leaf Lettuces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romaine-leaf-lettuce.md) - [Packaged Microgreens Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaged-microgreens.md)