In cooperation with the Israeli agricultural technology company Vertical Field, herbs and lettuces are grown on several levels in a shipping container in front of the BILLA PLUS market at Wienerberg Straße 27 in Vienna's 10th district and sold fresh on site. The first plants have now matured and parsley, basil, coriander, oak leaf lettuce and lollo lettuce are now available directly at the BILLA PLUS market.
"We are delighted with the success of this project and are proud of the first harvest. Our herbs and salads are as fresh as if they were from our own garden - the distance from the container in front of our store to the shelf is only a few metres," explains Eric Scharnitz, Head of Sales BILLA. "Vertical farming allows us to increase the security of supply and to offer our customers local assortments that are literally grown right on our doorstep throughout the year. One container can produce about 2,000 to 3,000 units per month - this means that the market is supplied with fresh herbs and salads from the container almost every day.
Agriculture in the vertical
The cooperation with Vertical Field allows companies like BILLA to grow vegetables and fruit in densely populated urban areas on just a few square metres all year round and anti-cyclically. This is made possible by 16-hour lighting with LED lamps, a climate control system that always ensures the optimal temperature and humidity in the room, and a dedicated water and nutrient supply for the plants. The climate-friendly effects are enormous: 90 % less water consumption, 50 % less CO2 emissions and 30 times less space required than when growing on the ground. The protected environment also eliminates the need for pesticides and the products are all of the highest quality. As the produce is sold directly at the local market, transport distances are minimised and customers can enjoy fresh, locally produced products. The planting and harvesting, which is adapted to the needs of the respective location, also ensures less food waste in the market.
"I think we all have to think about how we will feed a growing world population in the future, while at the same time harvests are getting smaller and smaller due to soil sealing, monocultures, the use of chemicals and the consequences of climate change. Developing new agricultural land at the expense of our ecosystem and climate cannot be the solution here, but vertical farming can be - especially in urban areas," explains Ronen Redel, VP Business Development of Vertical Field, one of the leading AgTech (Agricultural Technology) companies developing innovative vertical solutions for the urban ecosystem. Numerous projects have already been implemented worldwide together with food retailers, restaurants and other institutions. Vertical Field provides infrastructure, know-how and holistic support from cultivation to delivery.
If the Vertical Farming pilot project by BILLA and Vertical Field is successful, further containers will be set up in front of selected BILLA PLUS stores.
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