Woolworths introduces an in-store vertical farm, allowing shoppers to purchase fresh produce and leading the call for sustainability
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With vertical farming now a reality in Australia, grocery shopping is about to get a lot more sustainable!
The Urban Garden at the Sydney Woolworths Metro store in Erskineville is the country's first in-store vertical farm, featuring fresh and sustainable herbs grown in the middle of the shop, in a herbicide and pesticide-free environment.
Credit: Instagram/@InvertiGro
Shoppers will be able to get their hands on a range of herbs and leafy greens grown on site, making it easier for them to pick up locally grown produce when they do their weekly grocery shop.
And the store is already getting a lot of attention from shoppers!
One person wrote: “Congrats guys – looks spectacular, let’s just say smoking fresh.”
“Wow! I’d love to see one of these in Gawler,” another said.
Woolworths and InvertiGro have teamed up to bring herbs straight from the farm to your local supermarket.
The herbs are grown on an indoor farm in Rosebery, just a few kilometres from the shop, and are transported to the supermarket daily.
Some of the herbs are transplanted onto the framing wall, while others go straight on the shelf.
IvertiGro co-founder Paul Millett said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Woolworths Metro to deliver a hyper-locally grown fresh and flavoursome herb range while also introducing Park Sydney shoppers to a new way of farming and the benefits of indoor vertical farming.”
“Through growing close to where our produce is going to be consumed, InvertiGro reduces food waste considerably by reducing the amount of food lost in transportation and handling."
“By providing fresh usage-size bunches we also aim to reduce the waste once consumers take them home.”
The initiative is a partnership between Woolworths and InvertiGro. Credit: news.com.au.
Woolworths metro director Justin Nolan said that Australians are becoming more aware of the importance of supporting local farmers.
The retailer's initiative will help raise awareness of the benefits of prioritising and purchasing local Australian-farmed products.
Mr Nolan said: “This is a great opportunity for Metro Park Sydney Village customers to connect with the provenance of their produce.”
"Shoppers will notice InvertiGro takes up a small amount of space in-store and is a great non-waste initiative for our customers."
“We look forward to our shoppers using the hyper-local fresh herbs available at the Urban Garden to garnish and add flavour to home-cooked meals.”
It was said that the herbs grown on the vertical farm will be sold in bunches for $3 each.
Additionally, customers will also be able to purchase them as is and continue farming them at home.
We hope to see more vertical farms popping up in other stores around Australia so that everyone can enjoy fresh, sustainable produce!
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know your opinions in the comments below! We also recommend checking out this video to learn more about vertical farming in Australia.
Credit: YouTube/Bloomberg Quicktake: Now
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