Warehouse-grown greens provide local organic produce

Could this be the new face of sustainable farming? 

There are a lot of problems with our nation's food supply. Some of the biggest issues are availability of good, fresh, local produce in our largest cities. Between talk of food deserts and food miles, you start to wonder how we will ever be able to feed everyone well.

One answer may lie with a new trend in the Midwest: "Farming in abandoned warehouses." With the real estate market being what it is, these massive structures are lying vacant, and can often be leased for a song. Several entrepreneurs have repurposed warehouse space as indoor farms, with both hydroponic and conventional soil set-ups.

The largest such "indoor farm" is located in the suburbs outside Chicago. FarmedHere aims to provide fresh local boutique greens (like basil and arugula) to local upscale grocery stores. They also raise "microgreens," such as beet sprouts and sunflower sprouts. These sprouts have a fast turnaround time, but they also go bad quickly, which presents a problem for the traditional food distribution networks. But not for FarmedHere, which can truck them out to nearby stores without breaking a sweat.

For bonus points, many indoor farms also raise tilapia, and recirculate the fish tank water through the greenery. Plants love the nitrogen waste found in fish water, and the tilapia can be sold to local stores as well.

On the up side, the use of pesticides is not necessary, since the crops are maintained indoors away from the ravages of insects. You may already have guessed the down side: The power bill (including lighting and heat in the winter) can be substantial. Some outfits are experimenting with solar power, methane power, and installing skylights to create a sort of massive greenhouse.

If these entrepreneurs can iron out the infrastructure issues, this kind of farming could be a real game-changer. Imagine being able to indulge in fresh, local, organic greens all year long, no matter where you live!

Image of empty warehouse courtesy Flickr/jhpope