Latest News

2024 Q2

• USDA Food Safety Certification: Our Paso Robles farm has been certified by the USDA Food Safety with an audit score of 100%.

• We are currently securing bridge financing. Zeste is actively seeking strategic partnerships to accelerate the implementation of our Anaconda™ solution.

2024 Q1

• Trial Shipments Begin: Zeste Farms has initiated trial shipments with Fresh Point/Sysco in Los Angeles.

• Patent Approvals: The USPTO has approved several claims on patents related to our Anaconda™ system, specifically concerning environment control in dense horizontal grow chambers.

2023 Q4

• Reliability: Our Anaconda™ vertical farming system has surpassed one year of operation with 100% uptime and no need for onsite maintenance or engineers.

• Primary focus: Our sales strategy is focused on grocery chains and high-end food services that value fresh, flavor-rich accents and herbs.

• Trademark Status: The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted registered trademark status to the Zeste Farms® name

2023 Q3

• Customer collaboration leads to launch of new full window product packaging and sleek acrylic merchandising displays.

• Zeste Farms™ trade name accepted as registered trademark by USPTO

2023 Q2

• Whole Foods elevates Zeste from local to regional supplier South Pacific

• Talley Farms and Harvestly partner with Zeste to diversify subscription farm box assortments.

• If grades were assigned for Food Safety, Zeste would have received an A+ from this year’s USDA Audit

• Local Restauranteur Ian McPhee shares his thoughts about Zeste and it’s impact to McPhees Grill

2023 Q1

• Zeste begins regular deliveries to the San Luis Obispo Whole Foods Market

• Zeste now delivering to several restaurants in Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo.

• Zeste accepted to sell at San Luis Obispo county Farmers Markets – begins in Cambria.

• Anaconda™ Farming System exceeding 90% yield of salable product – large volume weekly orders in negotiation.

• Patent published for the Anaconda™ Farming System. In pursuit of claims.

• Series A fundraising for a Full Farm in preparation.

2022 Q4

• Zeste Farms presents on company innovation at Annual Central Coast Economic Forecast meeting held in San Luis Obispo.

• Zeste is now growing 22 products in the Anaconda Farming System at yields exceeding 80%.

• Whole Foods has approved Zeste Farms as a supplier in the South Pacific Region.

• Zeste Farms achieves Producer Certificate for LA and San Luis Obispo County by the Department of Agriculture.

• Zeste Farms achieves Non-GMO Verification Project certification for all 20+ products via 3rd party audit with license for product labeling.

• Surprise Food Safety Audit conducted by USDA. No corrective actions issued.

• Hype meets reality in Indoor Farming: The Food Institute article “Meet the Two Biggest Enemies of Indoor Farming” published December 12, 2002 provides a sober look at the industry and motivates Zeste Farms management to double down on cost management.

• The Zeste team is now focusing on scaling systems and distribution

2022 Q3

• Fertigation system and nutrient blend automation redesign success enabling broader grow variety.

• Reliability of Anaconda™ Farming System and Environment Control automation improved: Phase 1 lean headcount objectives met.

• Team tackles a pest outbreak with beneficials. Hardens facility perimeter.

• 16 different plants (3 herbs and 13 salad greens) now available from Zeste Farms (at volume) with 5 additional in test.

• Anaconda Farming System production yield at 20% average for the quarter and ending at 80%.

2022 Q2

• Full system integration commissioning with capacity scale test completed

• Initial 4 SKUs grown to salable quality

• Germination achieves 99% + yield

• USDA Food Safety Audit passed with 100% score.

• Initial consumer testing shipments begin with local online distributor Harvestly

2022 Q1

• Rudy Beltran, new Head Grower begins with Paso Robles indoor vertical farm.

• Anaconda™ Farming System taken through qualification and plant growing trials.

• Environment, grow lighting and fertigation automation qualified.

• Co-Founder departs company.

2021 Q4

• All critical components, subassemblies, lights, control systems arrive for the Anaconda. Installation of the Anaconda begins.

• Zeste Farms, closes its initial fund-raising round with 20 seasoned investors. Hiring begins.

2021 Q3

• Shamrock Greens begins work on company name change to avoid tradename conflict with existing Shamrock Foods. Trademark protection filed for Zeste Farms and Zeste Life. Zeste, pronounced with an silent e, is an international spelling and used with the same meaning in several languages. It was seen by customers as representative of the mission and flavor of our products.

• Shamrock launches Zeste Farms™ brand with teamwork from Purveyor Branding Company

• Shamrock Greens obtains trademark for Anaconda, the tradename of its turnkey scalable indoor farming system now referred to as Anaconda™ Farming Systems. The Anaconda™ name was selected based on the snake like pattern our plants travel as they grow.

• August 2021 – Shamrock Greens selected to present to Keiretsu Forum for angel funding.

• Shamrock Greens selected as Ag-Tech incubator company with Cal-Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

2021 Q2

• A non-provisional patent is filed on unique elements of the Shamrock farming system.

• The City of Paso Robles issues a building permit for construction of Shamrocks vertical farm. Tenant improvements begin.

• Whole Foods single store test shipments begin from greenhouse operations

• Final USDA Standardized GAP Food Safety Certificate Received

2021 Q1

• Shamrock Greens leases warehouse space in Paso Robles, CA.

2020 Q2

• A provisional disclosure on the Anaconda Farming System is filed with the USPTO

• Fundraising begins

• Business Plan revised with smaller pilot farm concept based on initial investor feedback

2020 Q1

• Shamrock Greens, incorporates

• Solution strategy, strategic supplier selection, engineering, requirements development and design begin on a new highly efficient farming system with the goal of making indoor farming profitable.

• 3 of 5 critical solution providers are confirmed. One US, one European and one Canadian.

• Company advisors are recruited to join Shamrock Greens