USDA grant boosts Anu’s fresh produce innovation

By Andi Anderson

Evansville-based Anu has secured a $175,000 USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance its Pure Produce Containers, designed for sustainable, year-round food production without pesticides.

Co-founded by Purdue alumni Scott Massey and Ivan Ball, Anu’s technology offers efficient, local food solutions, minimizing environmental impact and reducing food waste. The company may also be eligible for an additional $600,000 Phase II SBIR grant from the USDA.

Anu’s innovative container farms use Rotary Aeroponics technology to maximize yield. These modular systems grow plants in compostable Self-Nurturing Seed Pods, which provide all necessary nutrients.

The technology supports local food production, using 90% less water than conventional farming, while reducing nutrient loss and supply-chain emissions. “We empower communities to grow food locally, offering fresher produce with minimal waste,” Massey explains.

The Pure Produce containers have a high yield density, growing up to 3,920 plants in a 20-foot shipping container—20 times more than traditional agriculture.

Advanced LED lighting and aeroponic misting enhance efficiency, making it suitable for urban, rural, and remote locations, including schools, hospitals, and community gardens. This project aligns with the growing “food as medicine” movement, as insurers and health organizations support local food initiatives for better nutrition.

The USDA grant allows Anu to expand into fruiting plants, supporting a broader variety of crops. Anu has launched a pilot container farm in Evansville, showcasing the system’s capacity to produce several tons of fresh produce each year. Surplus produce from this pilot is donated to food relief efforts, supporting underserved communities.

Peter Rodriguez, president of ekō Solutions, Anu’s manufacturing partner, emphasizes that this partnership brings cutting-edge, efficient container farming to market, offering a sustainable solution for modern agriculture. This technology promises fresh, healthy food access and a rapid return on investment for local growers.

Photo Credit: usda