Vertical Farming Advances Food Access, Faces Business Challenges in North America

Vertical farming projects are gaining traction as innovative solutions to food access and sustainability challenges across diverse communities. At Ayer Shirley High School, students have integrated a hydroponic vertical garden into their cafeteria, supplying fresh lettuce to local schools and envisioning expanded garden plots and greenhouses as part of their civics and history curriculum. Similarly, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba has implemented a smart vertical farm using LED lights and closed-loop water systems to overcome harsh climates and improve access to nutritious, affordable produce, promoting food sovereignty among Indigenous communities. However, the vertical farming industry faces significant economic challenges, including high capital costs, long payback periods, and reliance on single crops like leafy greens, which can lead to unsustainable business models and market vulnerabilities. Industry experts advocate for modular, bio-circular approaches and diversified crop production to build resilience and sustainability in vertical farming operations. The container farming segment, exemplified by companies like Freight Farms, highlights both opportunities and pitfalls, with recent industry setbacks underscoring the need for realistic expectations and adaptable business strategies.