What's Driving Vertical Farming In Canada?

Vertical farming is gaining momentum in Canada, driven in large part by changing consumer tastes, the need for greater sustainability and advanced technology.

In grocery stores and restaurants, Canadians are demanding more fresh local produce year-round. The world's changing climate threatens the reliability and sustainability of some food supply chains. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and innovation continue to improve at a rapid pace. Canadian governments and agencies have introduced new policies and funding to support vertical farming, both in the countryside and in cities.

Technology and Location

Vertical farming crops are grown indoors on vertically stacked or inclined layers and rely solely or largely on artificial lighting. Small crops (e.g., strawberries and microgreens) and leafy greens (e.g., herbs, lettuces and vegetables) may be grown in vertical farms, although the variety of fruits and vegetables is growing. The practice is