New hydroponic greenhouse to work toward sustainability

Added on 15 December 2021

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New hydroponic greenhouse to work toward sustainability

US- A new greenhouse in Davis is growing vegetables with a focus on sustainability. Gotham Greens opened its ninth location and its first facility on the West Coast.

The greenhouse uses a hydroponic method of growing, using water instead of soil. The water is then recycled, allowing them to use less than a gallon of water to grow a head of lettuce, compared with up to 10 gallons used in conventional open-field farming.

Viraj Puri, the co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, said the method allows them to avoid some of the challenges facing farmers in California.

"We see a very bright future ahead for indoor farming, in light of climate change, labor issues, high cost of transportation, and increased food safety incidents surrounding fruits and vegetables," Puri said.

Puri said indoor farming isn't without its challenges. The high-tech facilities cost tens of millions of dollars to build, and it's not suited for all vegetables. But he said they can grow a larger amount of food in a smaller space.

Gotham Greens is partnering with UC Davis for research projects on seed breeding, post-harvest handling, lighting and irrigation. The company also plans to offer internships and jobs to students and graduates from UC Davis.

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