Gotham Greens at 15: New CEO Signals Bold Push Beyond Leafy Greens

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – April 16, 2026 – As it celebrates its 15th anniversary, indoor farming pioneer Gotham Greens is signaling a strategic evolution from a producer of fresh greens into a dominant force across the entire refrigerated food aisle. The company today announced a significant leadership transition, with co-founder Viraj Puri moving to the role of Executive Chairman and CPG veteran Craig Stevenson taking the helm as the new Chief Executive Officer.

The move marks a pivotal moment for the company, which has grown from a single Brooklyn rooftop greenhouse into a national network of high-tech farms. Stevenson's appointment, with his deep experience in scaling major consumer brands, underscores Gotham Greens' ambition to accelerate its expansion into value-added products like salad kits, dressings, and dips, leveraging its foundation in sustainable agriculture to capture a larger share of the modern consumer's grocery cart.

A Pioneer's Next Chapter

When Viraj Puri co-founded Gotham Greens, the idea of growing produce in high-tech urban greenhouses was a radical concept. Today, as he transitions to Executive Chairman after nearly two decades as CEO, that concept has become a cornerstone of a burgeoning industry. Under his leadership, the company transformed from a daring 2011 experiment on a Brooklyn rooftop into a nationally recognized brand with over 40 acres of greenhouse production spanning nine states.

"We started out nearly two decades ago driven by a bold idea: to grow fresher, better-tasting salad greens closer to where people live," said Puri in a statement. "Today, we’re proud to be an industry leader in indoor farming and one of the most innovative greenhouse producers in the country."

Puri's tenure saw the company pioneer a new market segment for greenhouse-grown leafy greens, building a brand beloved by consumers and retailers for its freshness, reliability, and pesticide-free promise. This vertically-integrated model, combining advanced farming with consumer packaged goods innovation, has proven to be a powerful engine for growth, with the company reporting a consistent 15% year-over-year growth in market share. In his new role, Puri will continue to guide long-term strategy, advising the board and leadership team as the company he built enters its next ambitious phase.

New Leadership for a New Era

The choice of Craig Stevenson as the new CEO is a clear indicator of Gotham Greens' future direction. Stevenson is not a farmer by trade; he is a brand builder with a formidable track record of scaling purpose-driven consumer goods. His most recent role was as the first non-family CEO of Lundberg Family Farms, a leader in regenerative organic rice. His career, which began at Procter & Gamble, includes nearly two decades at The Clorox Company, where he managed the globally recognized natural personal care brand Burt’s Bees, and a tenure as CEO of Scholl's Wellness Company.

This background in commercial growth and category leadership within the CPG space is precisely what Gotham Greens sought for its next chapter. Puri praised the selection, stating, "Craig is an experienced executive and thoughtful leader with a track record of transforming and growing brands that consumers love. As Gotham Greens enters its next phase of growth, I’m confident Craig is the right person to lead the company forward, deepen our retail partnerships, and innovate across packaged salads and fresh foods."

Stevenson’s experience with brands like Lundberg and Burt's Bees, which have sustainability and purpose at their core, aligns seamlessly with Gotham Greens' mission and its status as a Certified B Corporation. "I’m honored and humbled to join Gotham Greens at such an exciting moment in its journey," Stevenson said. "Gotham Greens has built an incredible brand and platform rooted in innovation, quality and sustainability. I look forward to working with Viraj and the entire team to expand our impact, bring more fresh food to more people, and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fresh, sustainable food.”

Beyond the Greenhouse: Conquering the Refrigerated Aisle

While leafy greens remain its foundation, Gotham Greens is aggressively expanding its territory. The company is accelerating its push into value-added categories, including salad kits, dressings, dips, and cooking sauces. This diversification strategy is designed to meet surging consumer demand for convenient, healthy, and complete meal solutions.

The market for such products is booming. Value-added produce, particularly salad kits, represents a multi-billion dollar category and is one of the fastest-growing segments in the grocery store. By offering products like vegan Caesar dressing and dairy-free queso dip alongside its signature greens, Gotham Greens is transforming from a component of the salad bowl to the provider of the entire experience. This move positions the brand to capture more "share of stomach" and build deeper household penetration.

Stevenson's CPG expertise will be critical in navigating this competitive landscape, where brand building, supply chain efficiency, and product innovation are paramount. The strategy leverages the company's core strength—its ability to produce high-quality, fresh ingredients year-round—as a key differentiator in a crowded market.

The Maturation of an Industry

Gotham Greens' 15-year journey mirrors the evolution of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry itself. Once a niche sector, indoor farming has become a mainstream solution to many of the modern food system's most pressing challenges, including supply chain volatility, land and water use, and pesticide dependency.

The market data tells a compelling story of growth. The total market for indoor-grown packaged salads, lettuce, and herbs has surged by 22% year-over-year and now constitutes nearly 10% of the category's sales. This rapid expansion is fueled by technological advancements in hydroponics, automation, and AI, as well as growing consumer preference for locally and sustainably grown food. While competitors like Plenty, Bowery Farming, and AeroFarms are also pushing the boundaries of the field, Gotham Greens' established national footprint and successful brand recognition give it a significant advantage.

Despite the industry's promise, it faces challenges, including high energy consumption and significant initial capital costs. However, with over $440 million raised in funding, Gotham Greens is well-capitalized to navigate these hurdles and continue its expansion. The company’s success demonstrates that CEA can be both environmentally sustainable and commercially viable on a national scale.

"Gotham Greens remains focused on delivering differentiated, premium products that combine freshness, flavor and functionality," Puri affirmed, looking toward the future. "I look forward to partnering with Craig and supporting our strategic priorities and commercial growth as Executive Chairman.” With a new leader at the helm and a clear strategy for expansion, the company is poised to not only lead the CEA industry but also redefine what it means to be a fresh food brand in the 21st century.