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US: The Secret To Singapore Airlines' Delicious Meals Is An Indoor, Vertical Farm In New Jersey
Inside a nondescript warehouse, sprouts are thriving under banks of LED lamps: kale, bok choy, arugula, tiny little plants only a horticulturalist could identify
BY PAUL BRADY
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Photo: COURTESY OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES
On an industrial block in Newark, New Jersey, behind the cement and brick Ironbound Recreation Center, there’s some magic happening. Inside a nondescript warehouse, sprouts are thriving under banks of LED lamps: kale, bok choy, arugula, tiny little plants only a horticulturalist could identify. Rows and rows and towers and towers of plants — like a scene from a super-sanitized version of "The Matrix" — are quickly becoming salad greens at AeroFarms. This 70,000-square-foot vertical farm, which the company says is the largest of its kind in the world, is hidden in plain sight — as planes roar overhead, on final approach for Newark Liberty International Airport.
Photo: COURTESY OF AEROFARMS
During a recent visit to the farm, Travel + Leisure got an up-close look at how aeroponic farming works: A variety of greens are grown from seed to harvest, planted not in soil but rather in reusable cloth that’s woven from recycled plastic water bottles. Lettuces and other leafy greens are constantly monitored, and environmental sensors throughout the facility make frequent adjustments. AeroFarms co-founder and chief marketing officer Marc Oshima says they’re even able to alter the taste of their crops — say, making arugula that much more peppery — by manipulating water levels, lighting, and other factors. (They don’t, he’s quick to point out, use any pesticides or herbicides.)
Despite the energy-intensive technology powering the operation, AeroFarms says its food is significantly better for the environment compared to traditional farming. A single square foot of vertical farm — like the one in Newark — can yield 390 times the produce as one outdoors, Oshima says. Water use is limited, as the plants are grown aeroponically and only misted when necessary. All this helps reduce the carbon footprint of the food, both by greatly reducing the resources it takes to grow the greens in the first place and by putting the harvested crop closer to market.
The Top 10 International Airports
That’s where Singapore Airlines comes in. The carrier, which operates the longest flight in the world between Newark and Singapore, has been working for years to reduce its carbon footprint, an airline rep says. One way to do that? Reduce the impact of on-board meals by sourcing greens from right down the road. AeroFarms, which is just a few miles from Singapore Airlines’ catering facility at Newark, is now supplying hyper-local produce for the nearly 19-hour Singapore Airlines Flight 21.
“Passengers understand that we’re trying to limit carbon footprint,” says Singapore Airlines food and beverage director Antony McNeil. Beyond that, high-tech vertical farming gives a level of control not found anywhere else, he says. “The beautiful thing is that we can work together to design, say, do we want more pepper in the arugula?” he says. “It’s like Star Trek!” Singapore Airlines will start serving AeroFarms produce on their flights from JFK International Airport, starting next month, and they may soon have sustainably sourced cuisine on all flights from the six U.S. cities the airline serves.
“The goal is, in the coming months, to have ‘farm-to-plane’ at every one of our U.S. gateways,” said James Bradbury-Boyd, a spokesman for Singapore Airlines. That could mean sustainably fished seafood for Seattle flights or thoughtfully made cheeses from Oregon aboard West Coast routes, McNeil said, in addition to vertically farmed greens.
For now, passengers will find AeroFarms produce in both business class and premium economy on flights from Newark, in these selections: Soy Poached Chicken, a riff on the classic Singaporean dish chicken rice; The Garden Green, a hot-smoked salmon salad; and Heirloom Tomato Ceviche, a sort-of caprese salad with burrata and arugula.
It’s possible that the partnership could grow in the future: AeroFarms has started an expansion of its Newark headquarters, which will give them even more space for indoor farming. And if they scale up, who knows? We may all soon be eating Star Trek–style salad in the air, no matter our destination.
Singapore Airlines Introduces A New “Farm-To-Plane” Food Range In Business Class
At the beginning of this month, Singapore Airlines began partnering with AeroFarms to have a fresh produce supply for its business class meals out of Newark Liberty International. Don’t let the name fool you – the company name has nothing to do with aviation
by Chris Loh
October 13, 2019
At the beginning of this month, Singapore Airlines began partnering with AeroFarms to have a fresh produce supply for its business class meals out of Newark Liberty International. Don’t let the name fool you – the company name has nothing to do with aviation. Rather, it’s because the ‘farm’ uses aeroponic technology. At its facilities, food is grown in vertically stacked layers just miles from Newark’s airport. This will allow Singapore Airlines to deliver a high-quality dining experience with incredibly fresh ingredients.
The produce will be served only to business class passengers flying to Singapore from Newark. Photo: Singapore Airlines
The farm to plane concept
“We wanted to be more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint by using hyper-local produce, and we wanted the in-flight food to taste as vibrant as possible,” he says. “We’re always trying to innovate when it comes to on-board dining so AeroFarms was a great fit.” -Antony McNeil, Food and beverage director for Singapore Airlines.
This farm-to-plane concept has been in development internally at Singapore Airlines for nearly two years. This adoption has two aims: enhanced passenger experience and a lower carbon footprint.
Exclusive to passengers with a business class ticket from Newark to Singapore, guests will enjoy extremely fresh produce that is grown just a few miles from the airport.
“The produce will make its way into the dishes within hours and up to no more than a few days of being harvested and delivered to our kitchens,” says James Boyd, spokesperson for Singapore Airlines.
According to CNN, Singapore Airlines says that the airline aims to introduce AeroFarms’ produce to premium economy class riders eventually.
The flight between Newark and Singapore takes place on an Airbus A350ULR. Photo: Finnair
The produce available
CNN also reports that the farm-fresh collaboration between Singapore and AeroFarms will have a focus on dark leafy varietals. This includes leafy greens such as baby arugula, kale, mustard greens and bok choy; vegetables that are rich in vitamins and nutrients and known for their crisp, clean taste. Come December, the salad will include AeroFarms Baby Pak Choi, zucchini ribbons and Japanese pumpkin or sweet potatoes.
The airline, for the most part, sources the majority of its produce for the daily Newark-Singapore route from more distant sources such as California and Mexico.
The route and flight
The Newark to Singapore route is widely known as the world’s longest flight for which Singapore Airlines uses an Airbus A350-900ULR. The quirky aspect of this service is that it only flies business and premium economy class passengers. This flight covers a distance of approximately 15,350 km in about 18 and 1/2 hours.
The flight from Singapore to Newark travels roughly through the North Pole. Image: GCMap
Conclusion
Singapore Airlines’ will be eager to partner with more farms in its other major US markets according to their spokesperson. This could be either vertical or traditional farms. CNN speculates that destinations like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle could be next.
Singapore Airlines, One of The Most Ritzy Airlines In The World, Is Partnering With A High-Tech Urban Farm
AeroFarms, the company supplying the greens, is a high-tech "vertical farm," which uses a controlled climate, LED lights, and a new type of farming called aeroponics to grow crops in reclaimed urban spaces
Singapore Airlines, one of the most ritzy airlines in the world, is partnering with a high-tech urban farm to make sure it serves the best meal on every flight. Take a look inside the futuristic operation.
September 17, 2019
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Singapore Airlines is about to launch a new "farm-to-plane" dining program, using vegetables grown at a local farm in Newark, New Jersey, in dishes on board its flights from the New York City area.
AeroFarms, the company supplying the greens, is a high-tech "vertical farm," which uses a controlled climate, LED lights, and a new type of farming called aeroponics to grow crops in reclaimed urban spaces.
Business Insider toured the AeroFarms facility to learn more about how the process works, and how things like baby kale and watercress can go from the farm to 35,000 feet in just a few short hours. Scroll down to walk through this unique urban farm.
What's the deal with airplane food?
If Singapore Airlines has anything to say about it, that classic stand-up joke will soon be a thing of the past.
The airline made headlines in 2017 when it announced a new "farm-to-plane" dining service coming to its long-haul flights, and again this spring when it announced its first sourcing partner.
Now, the locally-sourced, fine-dining initiative is about to launch on the world's longest flight.
After months of planning and preparation, the farm-to-plane service is kicking off next month on the airline's flight between the New York City-area Newark airport and Singapore.
The airline will work with AeroFarms, a unique indoor vertical farming company based in Newark, New Jersey, to source leafy greens and vegetables for several of the appetizers in its business class cabin starting in October. Meals made with the local greens will eventually be expanded to other courses and other cabins — the plane operating the flight is entirely business class and premium economy.
While the novelty of the "farm-to-table" concept in the sky, coupled with the fresh taste of the meals has an obvious appeal, the airline also touts the sustainability of both sourcing ingredients locally, and supporting eco-efficient businesses like AeroFarms with its business. It could be easy to dismiss that — the airline, after all, is an airline, and relies on fossil fuels to fly emission-generating planes around the world — but there's a twofold benefit that sourcing crops from a company like AeroFarms can provide.
Normally, while catering in the winter, "the greens for our flights from Newark had to be flown in from 3,000 miles away, from California, Mexico, or Florida," said James Boyd, Singapore's head of US communications. "This allows us to instead source our greens from less than five miles away, cutting down on shipping waste."
Additionally, Singapore is looking to expand the farm-to-plane initiative with similar sustainable urban farms around the world, giving a boost to growing eco-friendly businesses — for instance, AeroFarms, which said it plans to add more facilities, is a certified B-Corp, a designation given to businesses that meet certain environmental and ethical standards.
Business Insider recently toured the AeroFarms facility at Newark to see how everything works. Take a look below for our walkthrough of the facility, and the process of getting the greens from the farm to the skies.
Welcome to AeroFarms.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
This high-tech, the one-acre vertical farm can be found at an old steel plant in Newark, New Jersey.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The farm grows a variety of leafy greens and vegetables that will be used in dishes prepared by Singapore Airlines for its flight from Newark Airport to Singapore — the longest flight in the world.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Despite its small one-acre footprint, the farm can grow roughly 390 times as much output as a normal farm with the same acreage.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
That incredible output isn't just because the crops are grown on trays stacked to the ceiling — it's because of a unique and proprietary method that AeroFarms uses, based off a technology called "aeroponics."
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Aeroponics is a seemingly simple but cutting-edge growing process.
AeroFarms
It uses a mist of water and air to help crops grow in an environment without soil, pesticides, sunlight, or weeds. Aeroponics farms can grow crops year-round, regardless of season.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
It starts with a cloth-like material on which seeds are placed, and where the roots will eventually take hold. The material is laid across trays, which are placed into the farm's growing racks.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
From there, the farm uses a mist of water, coupled with nutrients, to start the seeds' growth.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Instead of sunlight, the farm uses LED bulbs emitting specific light spectrums, designed to discourage pests, optimize the nutrients the plants get, and even control the flavor of the plants.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
With this method, AeroFarms can grow mature, ready-to-harvest plants in a fraction of the time of a normal farm.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
While baby leafy greens would normally take 30–45 days to reach maturity, AeroFarms said that it only takes AeroFarms 12–14 days.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
That faster growth means that food can be supplied faster, keeping up with demand while using just a fraction of the energy.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Within just a few days, the farm will see its seeds begin to germinate...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
...Begin to grow...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... Take hold in the cloth medium ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And grow ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And grow ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And grow.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The farm has a variety of high-tech solutions to optimize plant growth, including computer-controlled misting...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... Temperature controls ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And systems that help manage the growth environment, ranging from fans, controlled air pressure between different rooms, and more.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The racks of trays resembled a server room in an office, except that each row had plants growing on it ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... Something you typically wouldn't see around computer servers.
Singapore Airlines
Sensors, controls, and backups help ensure that the plants can grow in the best conditions possible ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And make it easier to keep track of different crops and growing cycles.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Employees and visitors take a number of precautions to avoid accidentally interfering with the growth or contaminating the food-bound plants ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... Including removing jewelry, entering through a series of pressurized rooms and doorways, and wearing hair nets, gowns, gloves, and more.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The farm employs about 150 people.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Once plants reach a certain point...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... They're ready to go into the food supply — including in Singapore Airlines' dishes.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Growing trays can be taken individually to the harvest room, whenever they're ready — unfortunately, we weren't able to take photos of the process ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... And then to the packaging room ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... Where they're packaged either for bulk delivery to clients like Singapore Airlines, or for retail.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
The growing, harvesting, and packaging operation may be unique ...
David Slotnick/Business Insider
... But AeroFarms is planning to expand, hoping to open additional locations.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
Business Insider sampled a few different harvested greens, including baby kale, and spicy watercress.
David Slotnick/Business Insider
After being packaged, the sky-bound greens are trucked to nearby Flying Food Group — the caterer that supplies Singapore's Newark flight, which is about four miles away — where they're used for the day's dishes. The airline said it would start with three appetizers, including a garden green salad, heirloom tomato ceviche, and a soy poached chicken, pictured here.
Singapore Airlines
Then, the dishes are brought from Flying Food Group just down the road to Newark Airport, where they're loaded onto the plane.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
If you're interested in trying AeroFarms' produce and you're located in the New York City metropolitan area, the farm sells packaged goods in local grocery stores under the brand name Dream Greens.
David Slotnick/Business Insider