Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.23.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation Basis of Presentation and Principles of ConsolidationThe accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation Basis of Presentation and Principles of ConsolidationThe accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the valuation of instruments issued for stock-based compensation, inventory valuation reserve, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill in business combinations, and income taxes, among others. The Company bases these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
Significant Risks and Uncertainties
Significant Risks and Uncertainties 
The Company is subject to those risks common in the consumer products and agriculture industries and those risks common to early stage development companies, including, but not limited to, the possibility of not being able to successfully develop or market its products, competition, dependence on key personnel and key external alliances, the ability to maintain and establish relationships with current and future vendors and suppliers, the successful protection of its proprietary technologies, compliance with government regulations, and the possibility of not being able to obtain additional financing when needed.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents 
The Company considers all highly liquid, short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
The Company maintains its cash with major financial institutions that may at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents are restricted through legal contracts or regulations. The Company has entered into Credit Agreements with Cargill Financial, under which the Company has $170.0 million of outstanding loans and undrawn commitments. For further detail, see Note 7, Debt.

As part of the Facilities under the Credit Agreements, the Company is required to establish a "Debt Service Reserve Account," which is a deposit account, that contains minimum funds in an amount equal to or greater than the Minimum P&I Amount (as set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement) and the Minimum Interest Amount (as set forth in the Subordinated Credit Agreement). The Company has drawn a total of $98.4 million on the Senior Facility and $42.5 million on the Subordinated Facility as of December 31, 2022. Out of the total outstanding balance, $11.3 million was to fund the Debt Service Reserve Account and is included in "Restricted cash and cash equivalents" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The long-term portion of each of the Senior Facility and the Subordinated Facility is included in "Long-term debt" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable includes billed receivables and is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. In establishing the required allowance, management considers historical losses, current market conditions, customers’ financial condition, the age of the receivables, and current payment patterns. Account balances are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.1 million at December 31, 2022. The allowance for doubtful accounts was not material at December 31, 2021.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable includes billed receivables and is presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. In establishing the required allowance, management considers historical losses, current market conditions, customers’ financial condition, the age of the receivables, and current payment patterns. Account balances are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.1 million at December 31, 2022. The allowance for doubtful accounts was not material at December 31, 2021.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
The Company measures fair value based on the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value may be based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The authoritative guidance on fair value measurements establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis whereby inputs used in valuation techniques are assigned a hierarchical level. The following are the hierarchical levels of inputs to measure fair value:

Level 1—This level consists of quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.

Level 2—This level consists of observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets but corroborated by market data.

Level 3—This level consists of unobservable inputs that are used when little or no market data is available.
A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations
The purchase consideration of acquisitions is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated respective fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase
consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is adjusted for any changes to acquisition date fair value amounts made within the measurement period. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recognized separately from the business combination and expensed as incurred.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are amortized into interest expense over the terms of the related loan agreements using the effective interest method or other methods which approximate the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs related to debt instruments are presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability.
Inventory
Inventory
Inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. Inventory write-downs are recorded for shrinkage, damaged, stale and slow-moving items.
The assessment of recoverability of inventories and the amounts of any write-downs are based on currently available information and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Demand for produce may fluctuate significantly over time, and actual demand and market conditions may be more or less favorable than the Company’s projections. If actual demand is lower than originally projected, additional inventory write- downs may be required.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions or renewals and improvements are capitalized; expenditures for maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the value of the property nor appreciably prolong its economic life are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are as follows:

Asset Class Estimated Useful Life
Greenhouse facility
30 years
Production Equipment
10 to 15 years
Office Equipment
3 years
Leasehold Improvements Shorter of lease term or useful life of asset
Capitalization of Interest
Capitalization of Interest
The Company capitalizes interest on capital projects in accordance with ASC 835-20, Capitalization of Interest, which requires the capitalization of interest costs to get certain assets ready for their intended use. The Company capitalizes interest costs on borrowings during the construction period of major construction projects as part of the cost of the constructed assets. Interest is capitalized based on the interest rate applicable to specific borrowings or the weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings during the period. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. The Company amortizes capitalized interest to depreciation expense using the straight-line method over the same lives as the related assets.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets, Net

Definite-lived intangible assets are carried at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or over the pattern in which the economic benefit is expected to be consumed.
Goodwill
Goodwill
The Company records goodwill when consideration paid in a purchase acquisition exceeds the fair value of the net tangible assets and the identified intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but rather tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate impairment may exist.
The Company's impairment tests are based on a single reporting unit structure. The goodwill impairment test consists of one step comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The Company did not recognize any impairment of goodwill during the periods presented.
Impairment Assessment
Impairment Assessment
The Company evaluates intangible assets and other long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. This includes but is not limited to significant adverse changes in business climate, market conditions or other events that indicate an asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows used in the test for recoverability are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value.
Leases
Leases 

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception of a contract, and leases are classified at commencement as either operating or finance leases. For operating leases, the Company recognizes a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease.

The lease liability is determined as the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. The ROU asset is based on the lease liability adjusted for any prepaid lease payments or lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease. These options are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the recognition date in determining the present value of future payments for leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate.

The Company utilizes certain practical expedients and policy elections available under ASC 842. The Company does not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for short-term leases (leases with an initial term of 12 months or less) and the Company has elected to separate lease and non-lease components for all existing classes of assets.
Operating lease expense for fixed lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments to the lessor such as maintenance, utilities, insurance, and real estate taxes are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s principal business is the production and sale of sustainably grown fresh greens through CEA facilities. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the product control is transferred or passed to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. In general, control transfers to the customer when the product is shipped to the customer based upon applicable shipping terms. Customer contracts generally do not include more than one performance obligation. Product prices are based on agreed upon rates with customers and do not include financing components or noncash consideration.
In 2021, the Company generated revenue from the sale of intellectual property that the Company developed. For each licensing agreement for intellectual property, the promise to deliver a license that grants the customer the right to use the intellectual property is considered to be a distinct performance obligation. Revenue from intellectual property is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of documentation of the Company's intellectual property to the licensee. Intellectual property sold in 2021 consisted of intellectual property for salad kits, including the licensed know-how for recipes, packaging support, and branding kit development.
Revenue by major product or service type is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
2022 2021
(in thousands)
Revenue from sale of produce $ 19,474 $ 551
Revenue from sale of intellectual property 87
Total revenue $ 19,474 $ 638

The Company does not have unbilled receivable balances arising from transactions with customers. Payment terms are generally between 10 to 30 days.
The Company does not capitalize contract inception costs, as contracts (which are in the form of purchase orders from customers) are one year or less and the Company does not incur significant fulfillment costs requiring capitalization.
The Company has made the accounting policy election to exclude any sales and similar taxes from the transaction price.
Research and Development Research and DevelopmentResearch and development expenses consist primarily of compensation to employees engaged in research and development activities, including salaries and related benefits, stock-based compensation, supplies, consumables and services used in and related to the research and development of our growing techniques and processes, and growing facility overhead (including depreciation, utilities and other related allocated expenses). Research and development efforts are focused on the development and testing of existing and new processes to maximize the utilization of Company’s CEA facilities and increase production yields, developing new leafy green SKUs and value-added products such as grab-and-go salads, and exploring new crops. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all equity-based awards made to employees, directors, and non-employees, based on estimated fair values recognized over the requisite service period in accordance with ASC 718, Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity-based awards with service vesting requirements on a tranche-by-tranche basis using the accelerated attribution method over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the award’s vesting period. Forfeitures of awards are accounted for in the period in which they occur.
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred advertising expenses of $0.9 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Advertising expenses are included in "Selling, general and administrative" expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes 
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Under this method, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for income tax purposes and operating losses carried forward, measured by applying tax rates based on currently enacted tax laws. 
Valuation allowances are calculated, when necessary, to reduce the net deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Changes in the valuation allowances occurring in subsequent periods are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions based upon its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due when such estimates are more likely than not to be sustained. Uncertain income tax positions are not recognized if there is less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company reviews the tax reserves as circumstances warrant and adjusts the reserves as events occur that affect its potential liability for additional taxes. The Company follows the applicable guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition with respect to tax positions. The Company reflects interest and
penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income tax expense.
Concentrations of Risk and Significant Customers
Concentrations of Risk and Significant Customers 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents accounts with financial institutions which management believes to be of high-credit quality. The Company is exposed to risk in the event of default by these financial institutions or the issuers of these securities to the extent the balances are in excess of amounts that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The Company's receivables are derived from revenue earned primarily from customers located in the United States. The Company provides credit to its customers in the normal course of business and requires no collateral to secure accounts receivable. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts related to estimated credit losses.
Significant customers are those customers who represent 10% or more of total revenue during the year or 10% or more of net accounts receivable at the balance sheet date.

At December 31, 2022, there were two significant customers that accounted for approximately 28% of the Company's accounts receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2022, two individual customers represented more than 10% of total revenue. In aggregate, these two customers represented approximately 27% of the Company's revenue.

At December 31, 2021, there were four significant customers that accounted for approximately 81% of the Company's accounts receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2021, four individual customers represented more
than 10% of total revenue. In aggregate, these four customers represented approximately 82% of the Company's revenue.
Contingencies
Contingencies
Loss contingencies (other than income tax-related contingencies) arise from actual or possible claims and assessments and pending or threatened litigation that may be brought against the Company by individuals, governments or other entities. Based on the Company's assessment of loss contingencies at each balance sheet date, a loss is recorded in the financial statements if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
Segment Reporting Segment ReportingThe Company has a single operating and reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Co-Chief Executive Officers, who review financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance, and allocating resources.
Emerging Growth Company
Emerging Growth Company

Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The Company qualifies as an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and therefore intends to take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including delaying adoption of new or revised accounting standards until those standards apply to private companies. The effective dates shown below reflect the election to use the extended transition period.
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted, Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted
In May 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40); Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, which clarifies the accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (e.g., warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. The Company adopted ASU 2021-04 on January 1, 2022 and applied the applicable amendments on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2022 and applied the applicable amendments on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liability and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The standard reduces the number of models used to account for convertible instruments, removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and requires the if-converted method for calculation of diluted earnings per share for all convertible instruments. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends the guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost, the amendment eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current U.S. GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2023 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.