JACKSON, Wyo., Feb. 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vertical Harvest Farms announced today that it has won a GOLD and SILVER for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion ("DEI") in the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards. The company won Gold in the DEI category for Community Engagement, and Silver in the DEI category, Learning Training & Development, for their Grow Well customized employment program. The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence social good has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. The competition received nearly 2,000 entries from 43 countries worldwide.

Vertical Harvest Farms is a hydroponic, vertical farming company dedicated to sustainable farms, food and futures. In addition to their passion for local, healthy food grown sustainably, Vertical Harvest also operates on an inclusive employment model. The farms are designed for accessibility and staffed via hiring practices developed for people with disabilities, and the company's mission is to energize local food economies by using food as a medium for meaningful change. As Vertical Harvest brings food production back to cities and urban areas, they are partnering with civic leaders and local developers to co-locate farms with affordable housing, bolster local green energy efforts, keep dollars in-community longer and reestablish people's connection to their farmers and the fresh, flavorful, food we grow.

"Since launching this platform in June of 2021, we have seen that social change has emerged as a dominant force in mainstream culture," said Anthem Awards Managing Director Jessica Lauretti. "The sheer number, breadth and overall quality of the entries shared with us in the 2nd Annual Awards is a testament to the strength of this growing movement and demonstrates an enduring commitment to the work that is both humbling and inspiring to see. From the war in Ukraine to protests in Iran and the ongoing battle for equality here at home in the States, the call for change not only perseveres but is a growing global chorus."

Vertical Harvest's CEO Nona Yehia, said, "Social impact has been part of our story from the beginning. People urged us to start operating the farm first and introduce people with disabilities into our workforce second, and we said no. Growing people's futures is as much a core part of our business as growing the food."  

Co-founder and Chief of Human Potential at Vertical Harvest, Caroline Croft Estay, added, "Because we are a for-profit business, our Grow Well program has always been about balancing human productivity with human potential, which is too often overlooked in marginalized communities."

Winners for the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards will be celebrated at the Winners Celebration on February 27 in NYC. Fans will be able to hear from social impact leaders and their hallmark speeches at #" Vertical Harvest Farms Vertical Harvest Farms