Oishii Strawberries are a sweet sensation all season long.

Technological advancements have led to life-changing inventions like the airplane and the light bulb. And now, the innovative technology of vertical farming has brought us the next product you won’t want to live without—the sweetest strawberries that are always-in-season and truly in a league of their own.

Oishii, which means “delicious” in Japanese, has perfected the art of cultivating berries and other flowering fruits in the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. When Hiroki Koga first landed in the United States for graduate school, he missed the unique, sweet flavors of his favorite strawberries from back home in Japan. He quickly teamed up with Brendan Somerville, a former U.S. Marine Intelligence Officer with degrees from Georgetown and UCLA—and Oishii was born. Vertical farming, which is a method of growing plants in stacked, vertical rows instead of the traditional way, is increasing in popularity due to global food demands. This method allows not only for higher yield per acre, but also for produce to prosper under controlled conditions—creating pesticide free, non-GMO fruits and vegetables.

“Some people are intimidated or scared by vertical farming technology, but we’re growing real fruit in a better way. Farming has always been about technological advancement—just look at the plow, or irrigation. Oishii is just doing it faster,” says Naijia Huang, Oishii’s Senior Director of Marketing. The difference is in the taste, of course, and it begins with the seeds. The company’s first variety, the Omakase Berry, was originally grown in the Japanese Alps. It was cultivated and bred for optimal indoor growth by Oishii without the need for pesticides, due to the controlled conditions of the farms. Oishii berries are grown year-round in a highly optimized environment with the ideal temperature, humidity, wind speed and number of bees conducive to producing a juicy, fresh, healthy berry. Sporting the Butterfly Seal from the Non-GMO Project is a true endorsement as well. 

Another perk? Year-round production means it’s always strawberry season! These circumstances, derived from indoor vertical farming, are able to help increase the yield, which means more berries and lower prices for consumers over the last few years. 

With a new farm facility over 237,000 square feet and powered by a neighboring 50-acre solar field, Oishii is making significant strides in the area of vertical farming. Allie Sale, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communications, adds, “We are marrying technology with nature, and with people. If you go to our farms you’ll see people caring for plants every day—real farmers, real bees—working side by side with our harvesting robots in perfect harmony. Automation is what allows us to scale and grow, but the human element is what produces the quality that you taste. Everyone here is so passionate and dedicated.”

Oishii berries are found in select Whole Foods Market locations and other fine retailers in New England.  For a complete list of providers, visit oishii.com.