Company Overview - Edible Garden AG Incorporated is a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), focusing on locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products [4] - The company operates state-of-the-art vertically integrated greenhouses and processing facilities in Belvidere, New Jersey, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has a network of contract growers strategically located near major markets in the U.S. [4] - Edible Garden's proprietary technologies include the GreenThumb software and Self-Watering in-store displays, aimed at optimizing growth and enhancing the in-store experience [4] Leadership Appointment - Sohail Ahmad has been appointed as Vice President of Finance, effective immediately, bringing over 20 years of experience in the food and consumer goods sectors [1][2] - Ahmad's previous roles include Chief Financial Officer at HOS Global Foods, a $300 million enterprise, and Global CFO at Guestworldwide, a $1.7 billion division of Sysco Corporation [2] - The CEO of Edible Garden, Jim Kras, emphasized Ahmad's strategic mindset and ability to lead transformation, which aligns with the company's growth trajectory and focus on operational efficiency [3] Product Lines and Market Position - Edible Garden offers a growing lineup of products, including Kick. Sports Nutrition, Vitamin Whey®, and Pulp, catering to health-conscious consumers [3] - The company has been recognized as a FoodTech 500 company and is a member of Walmart's Project Gigaton sustainability initiative [4] - Edible Garden is also involved in developing plant and whey protein powders, as well as fresh condiments, enhancing its product diversity [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was $2,700,000, a decrease of 13.2% compared to $3,100,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to the strategic exit from lower margin floral and lettuce categories [13][15] - Gross profit increased to $88,000 from $23,000 year over year, representing a 283% increase, while gross margin improved to 3.2% from 0.7% [10][14] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $3,300,000, an improvement from a net loss of $4,000,000 in Q1 2024, driven by cost reductions and increased contributions from higher margin non-perishable product sales [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-perishable revenue grew 15% year over year, indicating strong performance from shelf-stable brands like Kick Sports Nutrition, Pickle Party, Squeezables, Pulp, and Vitamin Whey [7][13] - Cutter sales rose 13% on a seasonal basis, reflecting sustained consumer demand for freshness and convenience [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded relationships with major retailers including Walmart, Stop and Shop, and ShopRite, which are driving growth across both fresh and non-perishable categories [6][7] - The acquisition of Natural Shrimp Farms is expected to enhance operational capabilities and support the company's vertical integration strategy [11][41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is realigning towards higher margin, shelf-stable products, which is gaining traction and contributing to margin expansion [6][8] - The acquisition of Natural Shrimp Farms is aimed at enhancing R&D capabilities and supporting sustainability initiatives [11][41] - The company is focused on expanding its national retail presence and leveraging patented in-store merchandising solutions [7][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strategic transformation and the potential for long-term value creation for customers and shareholders [12][41] - The company is optimistic about the growth of its non-perishable product lines and the positive impact of recent acquisitions on its operational foundation [41][42] Other Important Information - The company has been recognized in the FoodTech 500 as a top 50 company, highlighting its leadership in controlled environment agriculture [12] - Sustainability initiatives have helped avoid significant amounts of virgin plastic and conserve resources, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental responsibility [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the initial plans for Natural Shrimp and potential synergies? - Management highlighted immediate initiatives including leveraging the facility for warehousing and R&D, which will support expansion into new markets and enhance product offerings [18][19][21] Question: What were the revenues for Natural Shrimp in 2024, and will it be margin accretive? - Management indicated that current revenues are nominal, but future growth and margin improvements are expected as the business is expanded and integrated [24][25] Question: How did the sports nutrition line perform this quarter? - Management expressed enthusiasm about the sports nutrition line, noting new distribution agreements and upcoming product launches that are expected to drive growth [26][30] Question: What are the drivers behind the sustained improvement in gross margin? - Management attributed the improvement to strategic investments in people, products, and marketing, as well as a focus on SKU rationalization and diversification of the product portfolio [35][37]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was $2,700,000, a decrease of 13.2% compared to $3,100,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to the strategic exit from lower margin floral and lettuce products [13][14] - Gross profit increased to $88,000 from $23,000 year over year, representing a 283% increase, while gross margin improved to 3.2% from 0.7% [10][15] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $3,300,000, an improvement from a net loss of $4,000,000 in Q1 2024, driven by cost reductions and increased contributions from higher margin non-perishable product sales [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-perishable revenue grew 15% year over year, indicating strong performance from shelf-stable brands like Kick Sports Nutrition, Pickle Party, Squeezables, Pulp, and Vitamin Whey [7][14] - Cutter sales rose 13% on a seasonal basis, reflecting sustained consumer demand for freshness and convenience [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expanded relationships with major retailers including Walmart, Stop and Shop, and ShopRite, which are driving growth across both fresh and non-perishable categories [6][7] - The acquisition of Natural Shrimp Farms is expected to enhance operational capabilities and support market penetration in the Midwest [11][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a strategic transformation towards higher margin, shelf-stable products, which is gaining traction and visibility across the business [6][8] - The acquisition of Natural Shrimp Farms is aimed at strengthening the balance sheet, enhancing vertical integration, and supporting sustainability initiatives [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's path forward, highlighting the strong foundation built through expanded retail relationships and growing e-commerce reach [46][47] - The commitment to sustainability remains central to the company's identity, with initiatives that have already shown measurable impact [12] Other Important Information - The company has been recognized in the FoodTech 500 as a top 50 company, reflecting its leadership in controlled environment agriculture [12] - The company is investing in marketing and branding to support the growth of its product lines [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the initial plans for Natural Shrimp and potential synergies? - Management highlighted immediate initiatives including leveraging the facility for warehousing and R&D, which will support expansion into new markets and enhance logistics [20][21] Question: What were the revenues for Natural Shrimp in 2024, and will it be margin accretive? - Management indicated that current sales are nominal and not margin accretive, but future expansion and leveraging of the facility will lead to margin improvements [26][27] Question: How did the sports nutrition line perform this quarter? - Management expressed excitement about the sports nutrition line, noting new distribution in a major Midwest retailer and upcoming product launches [28][29]

Core Insights - Edible Garden AG Incorporated reported a strategic shift towards higher-margin, shelf-stable products, resulting in a 15% year-over-year growth in non-perishable revenue and a nearly fourfold increase in gross profit compared to the previous year [1][3][8]. Financial Performance - For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, total revenue was $2.7 million, a decrease of 13.2% from $3.1 million in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to the exit from lower-margin floral and lettuce product lines [8]. - Gross profit increased to $88,000 from $23,000 in the prior year, representing an increase of approximately 283% year-over-year, with gross margin improving to 3.2% from 0.7% [9]. - The net loss for the quarter was $3.3 million, an improvement from a net loss of $4.0 million in the same period last year, driven by cost reductions and increased sales from higher-margin products [11]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on expanding its consumer-packaged goods (CPG) portfolio with brands like Kick. Sport Nutrition, Pickle Party, Squeezables, and Pulp®, which are gaining traction in the market [3][4]. - Edible Garden completed a $15.5 million acquisition of assets from NaturalShrimp Farms Inc., enhancing its R&D and warehousing capabilities, and securing patents for water treatment technologies to support sustainability efforts [3][8]. Market Positioning - The company is enhancing its national distribution footprint by launching and growing retail partnerships with major accounts such as Walmart and Stop & Shop, leveraging patented merchandising solutions [4][5]. - Edible Garden maintains a U.S.-focused production model, with over 90% of its operations based domestically, minimizing exposure to global tariffs and disruptions [6][7]. Product Development - The company is actively reshaping its product mix by phasing out less profitable SKUs and focusing on higher-margin, less commoditized offerings, which has led to a 13% seasonal growth in cut herbs [3][8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross profit for 2024 grew by 181.3%, with gross margin increasing from 5.9% in 2023 to 16.7% in 2024, reflecting the strength of the core herb business and strategic plans [10][32] - Total revenue for 2024 was $13.9 million, a 1.4% decrease from $14 million in 2023, primarily due to the exit from lower-margin product lines [29][30] - Net loss for 2024 was $11.1 million, compared to a net loss of $10.2 million in 2023, attributed to increased SG&A expenses and interest costs [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the core herb business grew by 1.7 million or 16.3% year-over-year, highlighting the strength of the focused approach [12][30] - The company exited lower-margin categories like lettuce and floral, which accounted for a $1.7 million decline in revenue [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is expanding its retail footprint across the U.S., strengthening its presence in key consumer markets [19] - The proposed acquisition of Narayan Group aims to expand the company's international footprint and diversify product offerings [16][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company refocused operations around its core herb business and launched new shelf-stable products and a clean-labeled sports nutrition line [10][11] - The strategic decision to exit lower-margin categories is expected to drive long-term profitability and operational efficiency [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the momentum from the second half of 2024 will carry into 2025, with a focus on higher-margin, more profitable opportunities [12][13] - The company aims to leverage its vertically integrated model to enhance efficiency and drive growth [15][19] Other Important Information - The company signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Narayan Group, which could significantly enhance its product offerings and operational efficiency [16][18] - The company is committed to sustainability and innovation, with initiatives like herbicide-recyclable pots contributing to CO2 emissions reduction [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What impacted the gross margins in Q4? - Management indicated that increased labor costs during the holiday season were a significant factor affecting gross profit margins in Q4 [40][41] Question: Can you elaborate on the proposed acquisition and cross-selling opportunities? - The acquisition of Narayan Group is expected to provide cross-selling opportunities with products like coconut water and superfoods, enhancing the company's portfolio and margins [46][48] Question: What are the expectations for the sports nutrition category in 2025? - Management highlighted the growing consumer interest in clean-label supplements and the strategic launch of Kik Sports Nutrition on Amazon, indicating strong growth potential [55][56] Question: Are there any anticipated one-time charges related to exiting lower-margin products? - Management does not anticipate any additional charges beyond those already accounted for in 2023 related to exiting the lettuce and floral business [71] Question: How does the company plan to leverage vertical integration moving forward? - Management emphasized the importance of operational efficiency gained from vertical integration, which positions the company to focus on top-line growth and new product launches [78][80]