Less waste for more sustainable urban ag.

Since the beginning, we’ve taken on the challenge of reducing the amount of waste we create. Conventional produce is often sourced in bulk from miles away with lengthy transport times and no guarantee of being sold. That’s why we started a local online Marketplace, where our greenhouse veg is harvested only once it’s ripe and ordered, for maximum freshness and minimum waste.

Our greenhouse teams are master forecasters, planning what to grow and gather according to the needs of Lufavores. They use a tight-knit system of data collection and ever-changing spreadsheets, calculating trends right down to the very last tomato. 

Our greenhouses prioritize waste reduction at all costs. We use reusable plastic crates when harvesting our veg, and send them straight to our distribution centre, where they’re emptied, disinfected, and sent back to be reloaded. When packaging is truly needed, we opt for compostable options first and foremost.

We take composting to a whole other level. When our plants reach their end, we clear them out of our greenhouses, do a major reset and deep clean, then plant a new crop of seedlings to start the cycle over. This is all part of running a greenhouse, and we monitor our waste through smart sourcing and diligent sorting.

After quite a search, we found the perfect compostable clips and twine. When we reset our crops, we can compost just about everything from substrate to old plants. To make this possible, we converted all of our growing supplies like clips and twine to compostable materials - a huge investment and a win for sustainable waste management. 

Of course, our work is never done -  we continue to improve all aspects of our responsible methods, evolve, and adapt with a growth mindset and sustainability as a core focus.