Food market joins the hyper-local trend with a commercial scale greenhouse on its roof

A 20,000-square-foot greenhouse is currently being constructed on the roof of the forthcoming Whole Foods Market store in Brooklyn, USA. Scheduled to open this autumn, Gotham Greens will grow premium quality, pesticide-free produce year round. The specially designed 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. The rooftop greenhouse will also create a variety of "green collar" jobs and economic development opportunities in the Brooklyn area, along with educational opportunities for local students to learn about greenhouses, farming and various environmental initiatives.