Fresher than fresh

dmforcier · April 12, 2017

Interesting article on Texas Standard radio.

Central Market (Dallas) has begun using a "container farm" to produce produce that is fresher than farm fresh. This is a 53' shipping container behind the store that contains micro-controlled grow environments. LED light, rock wool "soil", controlled temps and even atmospheric gas ratios.

Here's a link to the radio story: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories...ng-containers/

Here's a link to a story in Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...d-behind-store

Rockporter · April 12, 2017

Boy, I wish Central Market would come here to our HEB with that setup. Our little store in town could use something like that. We do get Central Market stuff here, just don't have an actual Central Market.

dmforcier · April 12, 2017

I expect it will happen next at CM (Plano), then one of the big Austin HEB stores, then at Whole Foods trying to catch up.

It's still not certain that the thing is financially viable for the stores.

Now, the produce is presented as living plants with roots. New kitchen remodels henceforth will have to include a little "grow niche" where the produce can be kept in top shape until it is vivisected and eaten.

Rockporter · April 12, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Now, the produce is presented as living plants with roots. New kitchen remodels henceforth will have to include a little "grow niche" where the produce can be kept in top shape until it is vivisected and eaten.

Hmm, seems to me if I were to put some water in a jar, and place in the refrigerator with a 100% cotton towel over it, the produce would keep it very well.

oakley · April 14, 2017

This is all over NYC. Roof-top gardens, roof-top greenhouses. I have been growing salad
micro-greens all winter in my grow room 'farm'. (not sprouts)...full baby lettuce.

This one across the parking lot from our offices is a nice set-up. They are on rollerblades. Pretty cool seeing them zip around tending at night.

dmforcier · April 14, 2017

That's a pretty big setup.

There is a rooftop greenhouse on a big Whole Foods (?) in NYC that is operated by Gotham Gardens (IIRC), not by the store.

The CM farm will be the first in the US that is operated by the store itself. Apparently this is possible because of the automatic control system.

Rockporter · April 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmforcier

The CM farm will be the first in the US that is operated by the store itself. Apparently this is possible because of the automatic control system.

It's just too cool, I can imagine what it would be like to go into the store and see someone pick up the last head of lettuce. Then asking for help, "um sir/mam, where can I get some fresh lettuce?" and the response to be something of this nature. "Well mam, I see we are all out of lettuce, let me check out back and see if we have some available to pick for you". Haha.

Cole_Robbie · April 14, 2017

I love the way the roof opens on those rooftop greenhouses in the pics.

April 12, 2017	#1
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Fresher than fresh Interesting article on Texas Standard radio. Central Market (Dallas) has begun using a "container farm" to produce produce that is fresher than farm fresh. This is a 53' shipping container behind the store that contains micro-controlled grow environments. LED light, rock wool "soil", controlled temps and even atmospheric gas ratios. Here's a link to the radio story: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories...ng-containers/ Here's a link to a story in Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...d-behind-store __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

April 12, 2017	#2
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Boy, I wish Central Market would come here to our HEB with that setup. Our little store in town could use something like that. We do get Central Market stuff here, just don't have an actual Central Market. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

April 12, 2017	#3
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	I expect it will happen next at CM (Plano), then one of the big Austin HEB stores, then at Whole Foods trying to catch up. It's still not certain that the thing is financially viable for the stores. Now, the produce is presented as living plants with roots. New kitchen remodels henceforth will have to include a little "grow niche" where the produce can be kept in top shape until it is vivisected and eaten. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

April 14, 2017	#6
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	That's a pretty big setup. There is a rooftop greenhouse on a big Whole Foods (?) in NYC that is operated by Gotham Gardens (IIRC), not by the store. The CM farm will be the first in the US that is operated by the store itself. Apparently this is possible because of the automatic control system. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

April 14, 2017	#8
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I love the way the roof opens on those rooftop greenhouses in the pics.