Vertical Future's farm in Deptford
(Picture: Vertical Future)Stratford will soon host a new 3,000 square foot “vertical farm”, growing vegetables, salads and herbs for local restaurants.
The glass-fronted urban greenhouse will be attached to a plant-based restaurant in the east London area. “Vertical farms” grow plants indoors over several floors.
The new Stratford site is set to be built by Vertical Future, which designs and manufactures advanced vertical farming technologies, and Crate to Plate, which runs urban farms.
A second 12000 sq ft footprint farm in Orpington, Kent, will be set up as part of the deal. London-based Vertical Future, which raised £21 million in January, already has a site in Deptford, while Crate to Plate runs farms in Stratford, Canary Wharf, and Kentish Town.
“Verticle farms” grow plants indoors using artificial light and either hydroponics or water misted through the air. Vertical Future builds fully kitted out “farms” in shipping containers.
Sebastien Sainsbury, CEO of Crate to Plate said: “We are growing nutrient-rich, fresh, and delicious crops close to urban hubs, avoiding pesticides, using less water with little reliance on supply chains. If you wondered what the future of food looked like, well, this is it.”
Crate to Plate supplies the likes of Fortnum & Mason, England Rugby Union, and Buckingham Palace.
Vertical Future will finance the two new sites and CEO Jamie Burrows the project was “in recognition of the rising demand they have for their produce in the London market.”
