With the lofty mission of globalizing locally grown, organic produce, thus stimulating economies and creating local jobs all while reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint, Urban Produce is a company that you’ll be hearing much more about, in Orange County and around the world.
Urban Produce is a Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) vertical grower located in Irvine, CA. Certified organic in January, 2015, their patented “in-motion” High Density Vertical Growing System allows them to produce live, organic, non GMO produce year round.
The concept behind Urban Produce’s High-Density Vertical Growing System (HDVGS) has garnered considerable attention as an answer for many of the food issues facing the 21st century. Their HDVGS is not hydroponic or aquaponic, instead Urban Produce has applied technology to traditional hydroponic to create a much more sustainable and efficient way to grow produce.
Urban Produce LLC has started licensing its high-density vertical growing system and initial interest is considerable, especially from foreign countries who recognize the imminent issue of feeding their population. Urban Produce hopes the move will account for about 70% of its revenue within the next five years and plans on building one hundred Urban Farms over the next 3-5 years.
Currently, Urban Produce grows organic an array of microgreens including broccoli, Kale-ifornia – a superfood blend of kale and amaranth, wasabi bok choy, sunflower, and Hot Mama – a spicy blend of pink, purple red, and white radishes, wheat grass, several basil varieties, and baby lettuce mixes.
You can find Urban Produce organic cut microgreens in select Whole Foods, Gelsons, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions! Visit their website to find a store near you! OR
Pop by their Farm Store on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. for wholesale pricing on 100% USDA-certifed organic produce!
Urban Produce Farm Store
1 Marconi, Suite F, Irvine, CA 92618
Andre Ovalles, known as “Heisenberg” at Urban Produce, is constantly experimenting with sprouting new produce and nurturing them with Urban Produce’s proprietary organic “tea brew” to achieve optimal results.
With the micro basil that the Urban Produce folks sent me home with, I whipped up an Avocado Micro Basil Pesto to adorn seared fresh-caught Albacore Tuna and charred summer vegetables – a nutritious, one skillet meal that’s on the table in less than 30 minutes! I’ll be posting the recipe on Sunday, so come back and visit!
MORE FROM URBAN PRODUCE:
THE PROCESS
Our High Density Vertical Growing System(HDVGS) rotates seeded trays on a conveyor around the growing unit so that each plant receives equal light and air distribution. We can grow product in natural or artificial light, above or below ground. In the rotation, the carriers cycle by a station where an appropriate amount of water and nutrients are automatically dispersed. This entire process is controlled by a computer system and can be accessed via the internet.
THE BENEFITS
Smaller Footprint. Our patented HDVGS greatly reduces the space required: Because our produce is grown vertically, 16 acres of conventional farming can be grown on a 1/8 acre footprint.
Our patented growing system requires 90% less water, 80% less nutrients and id entirely free of pesticides and herbicides. We are able to grow fresh organic produce year round. With our HDVGS, even the most desolate food deserts can produce fresh, organic, local produce year round thus creating local jobs. A community’s ability to grow produce locally reduces their carbon footprint, resulted from travel times. Today produce travels on average of 1400 miles before consumption (USDA), think about that!!!!
For inquiries about licensing please email [email protected]
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