Greenwich Country Day School Grew Too Much Lettuce. Here's What They Want To Do With It.
Robert Marchant, Staff writer
August 21, 2023
GREENWICH — The northern section of Greenwich has a long agricultural tradition, with abundant apple orchards, horse stables, and farming operations that continue to this day.
Greenwich Country Day School is now expanding on that tradition.
The school, which already owns and operates French Farm at 516 Lake Ave., has been cultivating lettuce and herbs in a hydroponic gardening operation inside a trailer at its campus on Stanwich Road. The school administration is currently seeking permission to sell the produce locally, which requires a special permit.
The school acquired a so-called "Grow Trailer" last year, after receiving the necessary approvals, according to the attorney representing the school, Bruce Cohen. Students have been using the hydroponic growing technique in the 8-by-40-foot trailer, growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Energy efficient lighting and vertical rows of plantings have yielded a harvest of lettuce and herbs from the truck container. The operation began this year.