Gotham Greens, Whole Foods Market partner to build grocery store greenhouse

Whole Foods Market and Gotham Greens have joined forces to create and operate the nation’s first commercial-scale greenhouse farm integrated within a retail grocery space. The 20,000-square-foot greenhouse, currently being constructed on the roof of the forthcoming Whole Foods Market store in Gowanus, Brooklyn, is scheduled to open later tin 2013. Gotham Greens will grow premium-quality, pesticide-free produce year round in the greenhouse for Whole Foods Market Gowanus, as well as other Whole Foods Market locations throughout New York City.

“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. “We’re particularly excited to partner with a local organization with roots right here in Brooklyn and a mission in line with our own, in that we both care deeply about providing local, fresh and sustainably produced food.”

The new greenhouse will be designed, built and operated by Gotham Greens in partnership with Whole Foods Market. The rooftop farm will include advanced irrigation systems that use up to 20 times less water than conventional farming, as well as enhanced glazing materials and electrical equipment to reduce overall energy demand. Based on the farm’s proximity to Whole Foods Market stores in New York City, the project will eliminate long-distance food transport and its associated emissions, while ensuring product freshness, quality and nutrition for thousands of customers in the area, according to company press reports.

Watch a video about this greenhouse prooject here.