New Gowanus Whole Foods Will Have Rooftop Farm Operated by Gotham Greens

<a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/whole-foods-market?utm_referrer=">Whole Foods Market</a> is taking the local food trend to a new level with plans for a 20,000 sq. ft. rooftop farm right atop their new Gowanus store. In a recently announced collaboration with <a href="http://gothamgreens.com/">Gotham Greens</a> - a Greenpoint-based rooftop farm that only sells produce within 15 miles of its location - the two will operate the nation’s first commercial-scale greenhouse farm above the store, which is slated to open as early as late fall of 2013. When complete, the new farm will eliminate the need for high-emissions food transportation and reduce energy consumption to the few steps it takes workers to walk produce from upstairs to downstairs.

The new greenhouse will integrate advanced irrigation systems using recycled and mineral-enhanced water which will use up to 20 times less water compared to conventional farming practices.

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Donning a whopping 20,000-square-feet of the building’s roof, the new farm will completely eliminate the need for high-emissions food transportation.

“Gotham Greens has been a valued local supplier of high quality, flavorful and fresh produce to Whole Foods Market since early 2011, making this greenhouse project a natural and extremely exciting next step in our relationship,” said Christina Minardi, Whole Foods Market Northeast Regional President.

Gotham Greens is the only rooftop greenhouse in New York City to produce vegetables on a commercial sale.

The electrical needs of Gotham's current Greenpoint greenhouse facility is met, in part, by a 56 kW on-site solar PV system that produces 70,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Slated to open as early as late fall of this year, Gotham Greens will grow high-quality, pesticide-free produce year round for the Gowanus store in addition to other Whole Foods locations throughout the city.