August 25, 2026 – 80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc., dba 80 Acres Farms, and 11 affiliates filed Chapter 7 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Case No. 26-11324, after a period of facility closures and employee layoffs. The Debtors are represented by Steven W. Golden of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones as bankruptcy counsel. Other board-approved retentions include Ankura Consulting Group as financial advisor.

As previously reported, the indoor vertical farming company, which does business as 80 Acres Farms and produces salad blends, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, tomatoes, dressings and other fresh produce, had permanently closed its Virginia Pack facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with the final day of employment anticipated for July 21st or within 14 days thereafter. The Company was also reportedly winding down its Marysville, Washington, operation and laying off employees after acquisition negotiations proved unsuccessful.

The Hamilton, Ohio-based lead Debtor reports between 200 and 999 creditors and places both estimated assets and estimated liabilities between $100.0mn and $500.0mn. It further states that no funds are expected to remain for unsecured creditors after payment of administrative expenses.

The August 21st board resolutions show the bankruptcy decision followed a review of the companies’ historical performance, the market for their products and services, current and long-term liabilities and strategic alternatives presented by management and advisors. The governing bodies concluded that each company’s assets were insufficient to satisfy its liabilities, unanimously authorized Chapter 7 filings and ratified actions previously taken in connection with the companies’ possible liquidation.

Petition Date Overview

80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc.’s August 25th Chapter 7 filing followed a deterioration that culminated in the collapse of an acquisition transaction the Company says was expected to provide the liquidity needed to keep operating, triggering an immediate nationwide wind-down and hundreds of layoffs. The Hamilton, Ohio-based indoor vertical farming company, which does business as 80 Acres Farms, had acquired three former Kalera facilities in Georgia, Texas and Colorado in March 2025 before combining with Soli Organic later that year, creating a business that said it would supply more than 17,000 retail locations and approach $200.0mn in first-year revenue.

In May 2026, 80 Acres announced the permanent closure of its Virginia Pack facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia, eliminating approximately 80 positions. The Company characterized the closure as part of its integration with Soli, with production consolidated into other facilities. A produce supplier also subsequently sued 80 Acres and related entities in July under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act over more than $230k of allegedly unpaid invoices. A staffing company subsequently alleged that more than $687k remained unpaid for labor supplied between April and July. 

According to WARN notices filed in multiple states, 80 Acres had been pursuing an acquisition expected to supply funding required to continue operations or delay facility closures. The prospective buyer withdrew on August 2nd. The Company said it had no alternative funding available to sustain operations and began winding down the following day. Public WARN disclosures indicate more than 800 affected positions across Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, Colorado, South Carolina, Washington and Virginia, including 166 positions in Texas, 145 in Ohio, 127 in Kentucky and 110 in Georgia. Operations at the Marysville, Washington, facility were also wound down after the acquisition negotiations failed.

The layoffs generated additional litigation, as former employees filed a proposed WARN Act class action alleging approximately 500 workers were terminated without sufficient notice, while published reports said employees who had previously expected severance were later informed those payments would not be made.

On August 21st, the boards of the Debtors reviewed their historical performance, product markets, current and long-term liabilities and available strategic alternatives before concluding that the value of each company’s assets was insufficient to satisfy its liabilities and authorizing Chapter 7 filings. Four days later, 80 Acres and 11 affiliates filed in Delaware. The lead petition estimates both assets and liabilities at between $100.0mn and $500.0mn and states that, after administrative expenses, no funds are expected to remain for unsecured creditors.

Significant Shareholders

The corporate ownership statement identifies six entities holding, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of a class of 80 Acres Urban Agriculture’s equity: Movendo Capital, B.V.; Horizon Technology Finance Corporation; General Atlantic (ACR), L.P.; S2G Builders Food & Agriculture Fund III, L.P.; Urban Ag 80, LLC; and HBG Venture Group, LLC.

About the Debtors

80 Acres Urban Agriculture, Inc., which does business as 80 Acres Farms, operates indoor vertical farms producing fresh, pesticide-free produce. Its products include salad blends, salad kits, herbs, microgreens, tomatoes and dressings.

Ahead of the bankruptcy filing, the Company permanently closed its Virginia Pack facility in Harrisonburg, Virginia, resulting in the layoff of all employees at the facility. The anticipated final employment date was July 21, 2026, or within 14 days thereafter. The Company was also reportedly winding down its Marysville, Washington, facility and laying off employees following unsuccessful acquisition negotiations.