Superfood Grown Close to Home: Wisconsin PureGrow Project Sets a New Standard for Romaine

At Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, food isn’t just fuel; it’s medicine. Thanks to the Wisconsin PureGrow Project, it’s a verified superfood grown right on campus.

The Wisconsin PureGrow Project is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Marshfield, Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic, and Fork Farms. Together, we’re demonstrating how modern indoor agriculture can strengthen community health, expand food access, and transform how we think about nutrition.

Using six Fork Farms Flex Acre systems and one Flex Micro system, the project grows fresh, nutrient-dense food year-round, even during Wisconsin’s harsh winters. And, a recent independent analysis found that the romaine lettuce grown here is a superfood!

So What Makes this Romaine Different?

It’s Exceptionally Clean - The lettuce tested at 200× below European safety limits for heavy metals (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915). That’s not just clean — that’s exceptionally clean.

It contains More Nutrients Where It Counts - Compared to conventionally grown romaine (USDA FoodData Central benchmarks), this lettuce contains:

• 83 percent more magnesium

• 65 percent more calcium

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• Those are meaningful increases in two minerals that support heart health, muscle function, bone strength, and overall wellness.
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• Plus, it didn’t just pass testing, it exceeded benchmarks for both nutrient density and purity, verified by independent lab analysis. That is what elevates it from leafy green to superfood.
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• This romaine was grown inside at the UW–Stevens Point Marshfield campus using Fork Farms’ hydroponic systems that are designed specifically to optimize plant nutrition, consistency, and purity.
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• Indoor hydroponic growing allows precise control over nutrients, water, and environmental conditions, resulting in higher nutrient density, exceptional cleanliness, year-round production, and fewer food miles. In short, this equates to better food, grown closer to home.
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• The Wisconsin PureGrow Project brings this superfood directly to the people who need it most. Fresh produce is provided to Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic for patients and staff, advancing nutrition-focused care and wellness initiatives. Harvests are also distributed to local food pantries to help combat food insecurity. And, students at UW–Stevens Point at Marshfield gain hands-on experience with advanced agricultural technology, sustainability practices, and food systems innovation, preparing the next generation of leaders in health and ag-tech.
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• The Wisconsin PureGrow Project proves that indoor agriculture strengthens healthcare delivery, increases nutrient access, supports education and builds resilient local food systems.
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• Fresh food grown close to home means stronger communities, healthier patients, and year-round access. At Fork Farms, this is what we mean when we say we’re growing more than food, we are growing impact. Now, go eat some superfoods!
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