LocalDutch, a Netherlands-based agri-tech and food retail company, has announced plans to roll out its Urban Farm Shop concept in the United States and other markets.
The model integrates on-site controlled-environment food production with direct-to-consumer retail and local delivery in a single location.
The company, headquartered in The Hague, calls the concept the “LocalDutch Shop” – a standardized, scalable setup that combines greenhouse technology with neighborhood-facing retail.
The approach is designed to reduce transportation costs, food waste and operational complexity by growing fresh vegetables year-round and selling them locally.
Revenue is generated through direct retail sales, Community Supported Agriculture memberships and last-mile delivery partnerships. The model can be adapted to local markets while maintaining a consistent operational structure.
“What we are bringing to the United States is truly Dutch technology, applied in a way that is both effective and easy to scale,” said Arne Spliet, co-founder of LocalDutch.
“In a sector where skilled greenhouse climate specialists are scarce, our system automates much of that work. That helps ensure consistently successful local production – and that is exactly what many communities around the world urgently need.”
A key feature of the LocalDutch system is its autonomous climate control technology. The company uses artificial intelligence and cloud-based services to manage greenhouse conditions centrally, allowing locations to operate without requiring specialized climate experts on site.
This addresses a significant barrier for high-performing greenhouse operations, where maintaining optimal growing conditions typically requires scarce specialist knowledge.
The Urban Farm Shop model is designed for urban and peri-urban areas where access to fresh produce is limited. LocalDutch says the concept is suited for parts of the United States, the Caribbean and Africa where fresh produce can be difficult to access and supply chains often rely on long-distance transport.
By producing food close to consumers, the company aims to reduce dependence on imports and lengthy supply chains while building locally embedded food infrastructure. Each location is designed to serve as a social meeting point centered around food grown in the community.