Art of Efficient Plant Fields: Tim Cunniff with Little Leaf Farms - Grounded Podcast - Episode # 011
Welcome to the latest installment of Grounded! Join our guest, Tim Cunniff, Co-Founder of Little Leaf Farms, LLC. In this episode, Tim engages with Lauren Mitchell and shares the intricacies of understanding plant biology and physiology. Be prepared to gain valuable insights from Tim as he sheds light on the art of expanding more efficient plant fields to effectively scale your business!
Takeaways:
- Little Leaf Farms starts by establishing its company systems and structure. Once these are in place, the company initiates the growth process. The primary emphasis is on the plans and daily responsibilities of growers. This involves not only comprehending plant biology and physiology but also knowing how to optimize yield. Critical tasks include maintaining water, fertilization, climate, and light at optimal levels.
- At Little Leaf Farm, growers must grasp the operation of company systems, monitor plant behavior, and make daily adjustments to factors like temperature and light. Despite the apparent automation, the company continually evaluates and understands its systems, making corrections when necessary. This comprehensive approach leads to the consistently successful cultivation of healthy vegetables.
- Tim and Paul launched Little Leaf Farms with a strong emphasis on package design to capture the attention of their products. Their primary objective was to revolutionize food cultivation. They began by introducing bagged salads in Salinas Valley. By prioritizing product design and selecting top-quality greens, they aimed to ensure that consumers could relish each satisfying bite of lettuce they served on their plates.
- Little Leaf Farms has expanded strategically with more efficient plant fields. Initially beginning with two and a half acres, the company recognized the need for a stronger foundation and incorporated advanced technology from top global producers. Now, they've achieved remarkable progress, operating 10-acre blocks that yield a higher plant density per square meter than any other major greenhouse globally.
- In the food service industry, Tim discovered the significance of understanding the supply chain's structure. Engaging multiple producers creates a substantial foundation, enabling consistent regional service, uniform pricing, and clear identification of the offered value.
Quote of the Show:
- “We don’t sell, we plan.” - Tim Cunniff
Links:
- Tim Cunniff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-cunniff-59997b8/
- Little Leaf Farms, LLC.’s Website: https://www.littleleaffarms.com/
- Little Leaf Farms’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/littleleaffarms?lang=en
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Creators and Guests
Host
Lauren Mitchell
Lauren Mitchell is the Director of National Accounts and Custom Distribution at Produce Alliance, LLC. She is a dedicated fresh produce spend & spec maximizer for multi-unit national restaurant chains & groups. She gets to know your brand and infuses your expectation for quality, consistency and transparency to create more reliability in your produce category.
