April 21, 2011, Montreal — In an effort to bring attention to
sustainable urban agriculture and direct-to-consumer farm relationships,
Lufa Farms – the world’s first rooftop commercial greenhouse – will
contribute one per cent of the value of each fresh produce basket it
sells to consumers to the David Suzuki Foundation, the organization
founded by the award-winning scientist, environmentalist and
broadcaster.
April 21, 2011, Montreal — In an effort to bring attention to sustainable urban agriculture and direct-to-consumer farm relationships, Lufa Farms – the world’s first rooftop commercial greenhouse – will contribute one per cent of the value of each fresh produce basket it sells to consumers to the David Suzuki Foundation, the organization founded by the award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster.
Mohamed Hage, founder and president of Lufa Farms, said Lufa also will make a small cash donation to the David Suzuki Foundation and encourage its farm-basket subscribers to contribute to the foundation as well.
The farm’s first consumer baskets of herbicide-free, pesticide-free and fungicide-free fresh produce will be harvested by the end of April, Hage said.
CITY FARMING IS POSSIBLE
Hage said the new rooftop Lufa Farms greenhouse would advance the viability of sustainable urban agriculture.
“Like the David Suzuki Foundation, we want our efforts to be a catalyst for creating a different type of city and a different type of farming. We share the foundation’s vision to change the way we grow and distribute food within our cities and to be a responsible partner to the environment,” said Hage. “Our farm, and our own vision of farms across cities like Montreal, is intended to demonstrate that the economics of sustainability can be viable.”
The rooftop farm, which engages many energy-saving strategies and captures and recirculates rainwater, will supply approximately 1,000 local families with weekly vegetable shipments to various locations around the city.
“Our rooftop greenhouse project is based on a fundamental belief that rooftop farms are a way to reclaim arable land from the city, detoxify cities, and ensure Canada’s food security. We can grow food responsibly, be mindful of our energy and carbon footprint, and provide quality food directly to city consumers without compromising the environment, the food’s taste, or its nutritional benefit,” said Hage.
RE-IMAGINING URBAN FARMING
Karel Mayrand, executive director at the David Suzuki Foundation’s Quebec office, said, “Lufa Farms is a bright green example of how we can re-imagine urban farms in Canadian cities. They have changed the built landscape from barren rooftop to vibrant green space that will produce good food and improve the health of the local environment. We appreciate their support and hope that this innovative project will inspire others to bring farming into the city.”
The Lufa Farms greenhouse is located on the rooftop at 1400 Antonio-Barbeau, near the Marche Central. For more information, consumers may call 514-669-3559 or email info@lufa.com.
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