AUSTRIA: Vertical Farming: Billa Is Now Growing Lettuce In The Parking Lot In Vienna

A first vertical farming container from the Israeli startup Vertical Field stands in front of a Billa Plus branch in Vienna's 10th district.

Farmers who are already struggling with the power of the big supermarket chains will probably not be happy: Billa now grows lettuce and herbs herself. In vertical farming containers from the Israeli start-up Vertical Field, which are set up directly in the parking lots of the branches. The first of its kind has recently been placed in front of a Billa Plus store in Vienna's Favoriten district. The second is to follow “this year in the vicinity of Vienna”.

Cilantro and Lollo Salad from Parking Lot Container

According to Billa, around 2,000 to 3,000 "units" can be produced per month in a vertical farming container - currently parsley, basil, coriander, oak leaf lettuce and lollo lettuce, which are sold (from mid/end of August) with pressed earth cubes. Cultivation then runs all year round and is therefore independent of the season. According to the company, this is made possible by 16-hour lighting with LED lamps, climate control and their own water and nutrient supply for the plants.

This is what the vertical farming container looks like from the inside | (c) Rewe

Vertical farming as a miracle cure for climate protection

This is said to bring a number of advantages, especially in terms of climate protection: one release mentions 90 percent less water consumption, 50 percent less CO2 emissions and 30 times less space than when growing on the ground. Thanks to the protected environment, the use of pesticides is also not necessary. Since the goods are sold directly in the local market, the transport routes would also be minimized. The "need-based planting and harvesting adapted to the respective location" should then also ensure less food waste in the market.

Billa: "Take sustainable paths in food production yourself"

"At Billa, we are increasingly concerned with alternative concepts and ideas to support sustainable ways in food production or - as in this case - to follow them ourselves," comments Billa Sales Director Eric Scharnitz. If the vertical farming pilot project is successful, further containers will be set up in front of selected Billa Plus stores, the company says.

Lead photo: The first Billa vertical farming container is in front of a Billa Plus branch in Vienna Favoriten | (c) Rewe