Lufa Farms cultivates fifth rooftop greenhouse in Montreal

Lufa Farms has unveiled its latest rooftop greenhouse atop the new Marché Central Walmart and Decathlon in Montreal’s Ahuntsic borough.

The venture spans 127,000 square feet and involves Lufa Farms’ community partners, including KUBO Greenhouse Projects, QuadReal Property Group and FDA Construction.

“Using the state-of-the-art Ultra-Clima concept and advanced design elements, including high-intensity LED lights, insulated double-paned perimeter glass, a diffused glass roof, and double curtains including a blackout curtain, we’re proud to launch our most technologically advanced site yet,” said Mohamed Hage, founder and CEO of Lufa Farms. “Our end goal is to grow better food with less. Less land, less energy, less water, less waste, and fewer resources.”

The urban farm is expected to yield up to 20 per cent more produce than conventional greenhouses of similar size and will primarily focus on cultivating cucumbers and peppers, a statement reads.

“Marché Central has always focused on providing a compelling mix of retailers, and partnering with Lufa Farms, one of the world’s first commercial rooftop farmers, is a dynamic new way of supporting the neighbourhood,” said Michel Caumartin, general manager of QuadReal’s Marché Central. “By rethinking how we use space, in this case the rooftop of our new Walmart store, we can make a tremendously positive impact in the community and provide more people with fresh, sustainable, and locally produced food.”

With over 30,000 baskets dispatched weekly and a network encompassing over 400 partners and 350 pick-up points across the province, the company says the new greenhouse is a sign of growth.

“Located only 300 meters from our first site in Ahuntsic, this new project reflects the maturity and evolution of Lufa Farms, a growth that wouldn’t be possible without our community,” said Hage.