Edible Garden Launches First-to-Market USDA Organic CEA-Grown Basil at Wakefern/ShopRite
Edible Garden starts an exclusive USDA Organic CEA-grown basil program with Wakefern’s ShopRite stores, using backhaul logistics to cut food miles.
Rhea-AI Summary
Edible Garden (EDBL) began shipping what it believes is the CEA industry’s first verified USDA Organic basil to Wakefern Food Corp. for exclusive distribution to participating ShopRite stores ahead of Labor Day weekend.
The basil is grown using Edible Garden’s controlled environment agriculture platform and localized supply-chain model, aiming to provide consistent, high-quality, year-round organic herbs. It is produced under USDA National Organic Program standards and independently verified by an accredited organic certifier. The program leverages Wakefern’s backhaul logistics network to enhance supply-chain efficiency, reduce food miles, and support Edible Garden’s Zero-Waste Inspired® mission while expanding its organic fresh herb offering with a major retail partner.
Positive
- Exclusive basil program with Wakefern/ShopRite expands Edible Garden’s retail presence
- Launch of what is believed to be CEA’s first verified USDA Organic basil
- Use of Wakefern’s backhaul logistics network to improve supply-chain efficiency and reduce food miles
- Program supports Edible Garden’s Zero-Waste Inspired® mission and localized distribution model
Negative
- None.
Market Reaction – EDBL
Following this news, EDBL has gained 0.60%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 3 alerts so far, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $1.50. Trading volume is exceptionally heavy at 5.1x the average, suggesting very strong buying interest.
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02 | Nasdaq compliance | Positive | -4.5% | Regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. |
| Aug 27 | Target herb program | Positive | -1.4% | Awarded an expanded Target fresh herb program for the holiday season. |
| Aug 25 | Facility appointment | Neutral | +3.5% | Appointed a project manager for the Prairie Hills ready-to-drink facility. |
| Aug 24 | Strategic partnership | Positive | -3.4% | Partnered with Square Roots on functional ready-to-drink beverage development. |
| Aug 18 | CFO appointment | Neutral | +1.0% | Appointed Jon Gutoski as chief financial officer effective August 17. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Three of five recent company announcements had negative 24-hour reactions despite positive corporate developments.
Key Terms
cea technical
controlled environment agriculture technical
backhaul logistics network technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Exclusive Program Expands ShopRite Distribution Ahead of Labor Day
Utilizes Wakefern Backhaul Network to Enhance Supply-Chain Efficiency, Reduce Food Miles and Support Edible Garden’s Zero-Waste Inspired® Mission
BELVIDERE, NJ, Sept. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edible Garden AG Incorporated (“Edible Garden” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW), a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), organic and sustainable produce, and developer of the Zero-Waste Inspired® mission and Farm-to-Formula® platform today announced that it has begun shipping what the Company believes to be the CEA industry’s first verified USDA Organic basil to Wakefern Food Corp. for distribution to participating ShopRite stores as part of an exclusive program. The expanded distribution comes ahead of Labor Day weekend, a period of increased demand for fresh herbs driven by grilling, entertaining and seasonal meal preparation, and provides ShopRite shoppers with access to fresh, certified organic basil grown using Edible Garden’s controlled environment agriculture platform and localized supply-chain model.
Edible Garden’s USDA Organic basil is grown in a controlled environment designed to provide greater consistency, quality and year-round availability while reducing reliance on long-distance supply chains. The basil is produced in accordance with USDA National Organic Program standards and independently verified by an accredited organic certifier.
“Bringing what we believe is the CEA industry’s first verified USDA Organic basil to Wakefern and participating ShopRite stores through this exclusive program represents an important expansion of our organic fresh herb offering and reflects our continued focus on innovation within the category,” said Jim Kras, Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden. “Our goal is to give consumers the combination of organic integrity, freshness, and locally grown convenience they increasingly seek. Launching this product ahead of Labor Day also gives ShopRite shoppers a differentiated fresh herb option at a time when families are gathering, grilling, and preparing meals together.”
“Wakefern and its supermarket members have built a strong reputation for delivering fresh, high-quality products to their customers, and we are proud to expand our relationship with them. The program utilizes Wakefern’s backhaul logistics network, allowing our products to be picked up as part of existing transportation routes, which is designed to enhance supply-chain efficiency, reduce unnecessary food miles and further support our Zero-Waste Inspired® mission. We believe this program demonstrates the value of our controlled environment agriculture platform and localized distribution capabilities, while creating additional opportunities to grow our presence with major retail partners,” concluded Mr. Kras.
ABOUT EDIBLE GARDEN®
Edible Garden AG Incorporated is a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), delivering organic, better-for-you, sustainable produce and products through its Zero-Waste Inspired® next-generation farming model. Available in over 6,000 retail locations across the United States, Caribbean, and South America, Edible Garden is at the forefront of the CEA and sustainability technology movement, distinguished by its advanced safety-in-farming protocols, sustainable packaging, patented GreenThumb software, and innovative Self-Watering in-store displays. The Company operates state-of-the-art, vertically integrated greenhouses and processing facilities, including Edible Garden Heartland in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Edible Garden Prairie Hills in Webster City, Iowa; and its headquarters at Edible Garden Belvidere in New Jersey. It also partners with a network of contract growers strategically located near major U.S. markets to ensure freshness and reduce environmental impact. The Company is also expanding its Prairie Hills facility in Webster City, Iowa, into a dedicated ready-to-drink (RTD) clean nutrition manufacturing hub, supporting its Farm-to-Formula® strategy and its transformation into higher-margin, shelf-stable nutrition categories.
Edible Garden’s proprietary GreenThumb 2.0 software—protected by U.S. Patents US 11,158,006 B1, US 11,410,249 B2, and US 11,830,088 B2—optimizes vertical and traditional greenhouse growing conditions while aiming to reduce food miles. Its patented Self-Watering display (U.S. Patent No. D1,010,365) is designed to extend plant shelf life and elevate in-store presentation. In addition to its core CEA operations, Edible Garden owns three patents in advanced aquaculture technologies: a closed-loop shrimp farming system (US 6,615,767 B1), a modular recirculating aquaculture setup with automated water treatment and feeding (US 10,163,199 B2), and a sensor-driven ammonia control method utilizing electrolytic chlorine generation (US 11,297,809 B1).
The Company has been recognized as a FoodTech 500 firm by Forward Fooding, is a multi-year participant in Walmart’s Project Gigaton and a Giga Guru designee and has received NRG’s Excellence in Energy Award for its commitment to measurable environmental performance and energy stewardship. Edible Garden also develops and markets a growing line of nutrition and specialty food products, including Vitamin Way® and Vitamin Whey®—plant and whey protein powders—and Kick. Sports Nutrition, a premium performance line for health-conscious athletes seeking cleaner, better-for-you options. The Company’s offerings further include fresh, sustainable condiments such as Pulp fermented gourmet and chili-based sauces, as well as Pickle Party, a collection of fermented fresh pickles and krauts.
Learn more at https://ediblegardenag.com.
For Pulp products, visit https://www.pulpflavors.com.
For Vitamin Whey® products, visit https://vitaminwhey.com.
For Kick. Sports Nutrition products, visit https://kicksportsnutrition.net/.
Watch the Company’s latest corporate video here.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “expand,” “advance,” “designed to,” “opportunity,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the level and durability of inbound retailer interest and the Company’s ability to convert that interest into new or expanded distribution programs, the Company’s available capacity and ability to service additional retail volume, the expected effect of the Company’s cost reduction and automation initiatives on operating margins, the continued growth of the Company’s fresh cut herb and USDA Organic product lines, the development of the Company’s ready-to-drink manufacturing facility in Webster City, Iowa, and the Company’s Farm-to-Formula® strategy. There can be no assurance that any inbound interest will result in binding agreements, incremental revenue or improved margins. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section and other sections of the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contacts:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
212-671-1020
EDBL@crescendo-ir.com
