DETROIT (WWJ) - Bedrock is teaming up with indoor farming company, Vertical Harvest, to explore the development of vertical farming infrastructure within Detroit.
Both companies are eyeballing the city's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, near West Grand Boulevard and I-75, for the proposed 60,000 square foot structure that would stand 74 feet tall and feature a 205,000 square foot growing canopy that utilizes hydroponic, vertical and controlled environmental agricultural practices.
Vertical Harvest, which got its start in West Virginia, aims to thrive in urban areas that lack the space needed for local communities to grow their own food.
"By introducing viable methods to increase their internal food supply, vertical farming can help cities to reduce their negative impact on the environment and become more sustainable and self-sufficient," the company's website states.
If brought to Detroit, Bedrock and Vertical Harvest estimate the infrastructure could yield 2.2 million pounds of fresh vegetables, including lettuces, petite greens, microgreens and herbs would be produced year-round.
Utilizing its 'feed locals first' philosophy, the more than 70% of the food grown at the proposed Detroit location would be committed to communities within 100 miles of the city.
"This will essentially eliminate long distance transportation issues and offer preference to local and regional distributors, as well as community institutions," Vertical Harvest explained.
Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock commented that one of the biggest problems urban communities in America face is food insecurity -- and the issue is only growing.
“In Detroit, a significant portion of the population does not have easy access to fresh produce," Bonner said. "Most importantly, Vertical Harvest products will be made accessible to civic institutions for quick and efficient delivery to our neighborhoods. The partnership with Vertical Harvest is another way that Bedrock will continue to extend our positive impact beyond the downtown core.”
As pandemic, climate change and extreme weather events slam Michigan-- like the drought the gripped Michigan for much of the early summer and in recent weeks, hailstorms that wiped out entire crops -- officials said cities like Detroit should start planning to incorporate food sovereignty into resiliency planning.
If established in the heart of Detroit, Vertical Harvest would be able to provide a 24/7 year-round growing schedule that could optimize varieties of food for texture and tastes and well as deliver fresher food harvested at peak flavor and nutrition.
“We view food production as essential civic infrastructure,” said Nona Yehia, Vertical Harvest’s CEO and Detroit native. “By partnering with city leaders and organizations like Bedrock, we hope to play an important role in scaling sustainable urban infrastructure for Detroiters.”
Additionally, the vertical farm could create approximately 50 jobs within the city with 40 percent of those openings reserved for people with disabilities.
"By “underserved populations” we mean those who struggle to find meaningful work and upwardly mobile career opportunities," the comapny said. "While the team in our flagship Jackson, Wyoming farm comprises community members with developmental disabilities (such as those with Autism and Down Syndrome), our model can work with other forgotten workforces, such as formerly incarcerated citizens and immigrants seeking asylum."
Yehia noted, “ I grew up here in Detroit alongside a brother with developmental disabilities and I often saw his access to opportunity being defined by what people thought were his limitations. But when you begin with possibility and potential, you open up whole new worlds of opportunity.”
Vertical Harvest plans to open the Detroit location in two years. If so, it would be the company's first facility in the Midwest.
For additional information on Vertical Harvest, please visit: VerticalHarvestFarms.com and follow @verticalharvestfarms.