Flora farm announces $8M expansion plans

FLORA — Salad Days Produce, a producer of hydroponically grown head lettuce, announced a more than $8 million expansion expected to generate at least 12 jobs.

Salad Days President Leigh Bailey said the expansion includes adding a new state-of-the-art 65,000-square-foot controlled-environment agriculture facility in the Flora Industrial Park to the company’s current 21,000-square-foot facility on First Street in Flora.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will solve the capacity issue we’ve had,” Bailey said. 

Gov. Tate Reeves said the expansion is an example of the healthy pro-business climate present in Mississippi.

“Salad Days Produce’s investment continues the positive Mississippi momentum that is taking place throughout our state,” Reeves said. “Every job created and every dollar invested by companies like Salad Days Produce speak to our pro-business mindset and the fact that we truly are one of the best states for business. It’s another great day for our state.”

Based in Flora, Salad Days Produce is a woman-owned local business that specializes in growing pesticide-free produce and can supply restaurants and other food-service companies with a variety of lettuce year-round.

The expansion will enable Salad Days Produce to serve larger grocery chains and regional produce distributors by increasing its current production capacity by a factor of eight.

“We will now be able to meet the volume demands of both our existing clients and clients that have been on the waiting list, in some cases for years. It’s the preferred brand for some of the Deep South’s best restaurants and most celebrated chefs,” Bailey said.

The project is a corporate investment of nearly $8.2 million.

According to MCEDA Executive Director Joseph Deason, Salad Days’ new facility will strengthen Flora’s footprint as an emerging food-sector hub.

“Salad Days has been a staple in Flora for the last 12 years,” Deason said. “As a testament to the local community, they have decided to expand operations here in Madison County.”

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program, MDA Executive Director Bill Cork said.

“In Mississippi, we aim to eliminate barriers and red tape that can hinder economic growth,” Cork said. “As a result, we are having a record-breaking year for economic development, and we are glad to add Salad Days Produce to our impressive list of recent expansion projects. In addition to the positive impact this growth will have on the company and its employees, it benefits the regional food-service market by enabling more retailers and restaurants to gain access to this high-quality Mississippi-grown product. We appreciate the Salad Days team for once again choosing Mississippi.” 

Madison County also is assisting with the project.

The company expects to complete the expansion sometime in July 2025.