Edible Garden has announced plans to develop a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage manufacturing platform at its Midwest facility as it expands beyond fresh produce into shelf-stable nutrition products.
The company, which produces fresh herbs, leafy greens, and plant-based nutrition products using controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), said the initiative is being driven by rising demand from major retailers for scalable, clean-label RTD production capable of delivering shelf-stable nutrition products at scale.
As part of the project, Edible Garden has selected food processing and packaging specialist Tetra Pak to support the planning, installation and integration of proprietary processing systems at the site. The companies are expected to formalise the agreement during Natural Products Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, California.
The development forms part of Edible Garden’s broader “Farm-to-Formula” strategy, which aims to combine controlled-environment agriculture with advanced processing and formulation capabilities to produce functional beverages and other nutrition products.
The company’s Midwest facility includes more than 200,000 sq ft of food-grade manufacturing space, supported by warehousing and logistics infrastructure located within a major U.S. agricultural corridor. Under the expansion plans, the site will be transformed into a dedicated hub for RTD and clean-nutrition production, supporting aseptic and ultra-filtered beverage manufacturing across categories including protein, plant-based, dairy and functional drinks.
According to Edible Garden, the new platform will incorporate advanced aseptic carton packaging systems supplied by Tetra Pak, enabling products to maintain shelf life without refrigeration or preservatives prior to opening. The technology is designed to allow ambient distribution while maintaining clean-label standards and supporting improved supply chain efficiency.
Phase one production at the facility is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The company believes the expansion will allow it to diversify into higher-margin product categories while leveraging its existing agricultural and research capabilities. The site is also intended to function as an innovation platform for product development as Edible Garden broadens its portfolio beyond fresh perishables.
The move comes as demand for RTD beverages continues to grow globally. Edible Garden cited industry estimates valuing the RTD market at approximately $766bn in 2024, with projections suggesting it could reach around $1.3tn by 2030 as consumers seek convenient products with functional health benefits and clean ingredient lists.
Jim Kras, chief executive officer of Edible Garden, said the initiative represents a significant step in the company’s manufacturing strategy: “Major retailers are facing growing, and in many cases unmet, demand for reliable, clean-label RTD capacity, and our facility is being developed to deliver the scale and precision required to meet that need.”
Kras added that integrating advanced processing and aseptic packaging technology will allow the facility to support efficient, high-throughput production while reducing supply chain costs and food waste.
Katie Pierce, business development manager for the U.S. and Canada at Tetra Pak, said the partnership reflects the growing demand for advanced beverage processing and packaging capabilities: “As demand for advanced aseptic and ready-to-drink solutions continues to grow, Edible Garden brings the vision and operational capability required.”
Once operational, the facility is expected to serve as the backbone of Edible Garden’s RTD manufacturing strategy and support the company’s expansion into functional nutrition categories.
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