Alterrus
One of the ways Alterrus makes use of crowded, urban areas to grow crops is by using its VertiCrop System, which makes use of vertical space to increase production.
Despite the rise of the local food phenomenon there are many times when the consumer doesn’t know where or how they can connect to locally grown produce. There are great venues like Farmers’ Markets, but the markets, valuable as they are, only occur once or twice a week. Most of us purchase our produce in a supermarket of one kind or another.
Alterrus Systems is starting to make it easier to connect local produce to Vancouver area consumers.
In the company’s words, “Alterrus has created a sustainable vertical growing system that grows fresh, nutritious leafy green vegetables in urban environments where they are to be consumed.”
“A vertical growing system” sounds great, but the question is how is that possible in large urban settings where there is little land, and much over-priced concrete?
The only wasted space, until now, has been the rooftops. Other more crowded cities in the world have been developing rooftop space for years, but in North America this has been much less prevalent.
Alterrus has been certified as a B Corporation, which was done by the nonprofit organization, B Lab. This certification means the company is committed to a governance structure that puts an emphasis on environmental performance and social issues, and that is enshrined in corporate resolutions endorsed by at least two-thirds of shareholders.
The start of its local food commitment in Vancouver is through its subsidiary, Local Garden (http://www.localgarden.com). Local Garden is using food from a roof top garden on top of a parkade at 535 Richards Street in downtown Vancouver to supply a half dozen restaurants and consumers through SPUD.ca, a Vancouver-based online grocery delivery service