Have you ever been disappointed by a strawberry? Most of us living in colder climates can say we have bought a batch of flavorless, soft strawberries, and that’s often because they’re old and carry a lot of food miles. That, combined with the fact that this fruit is consistently at the top of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of pesticide-contaminated produce, inspired Ophelia Sarakinis to start GUSH, an indoor vertical strawberry farm.
Ophelia has an entrepreneurial spirit and started thinking about launching a business in 2020 at the height of the global pandemic. She was so keen that her strawberry-growing ventures began in her parents’ attic! Over the last four years, the Montrealer and McGill agriculture grad has diligently researched and developed a prototype, received grants, fundraised, and found investors to repurpose a former textile factory into a state-of-the-art vertical farm. Crops grow 365 days a year in stacked layers, producing large quantities of food in a small footprint. In the first year of production, GUSH grew 15,000 plants! The vertical farm uses energy-efficient LED lighting and needs 90% less water and fertilizer than the average outdoor farm, thanks to advanced hydroponic systems that recirculate water. The best part? No pesticides! Ladybugs are the perfect all-natural pest control and handle the critters. Beehives are also a feature in the grow room since strawberry plants require pollination to produce fruit.
GUSH is located in the heart of Montreal, bringing food closer to people and reducing the need for long-haul transportation. Customers often enjoy GUSH strawberries the day they are picked, a significant upgrade from the imported crates typically found in supermarkets during the cold months in Quebec. GUSH sells its delicious strawberries through Montreal’s Lufa Farms and at the Marché Jean-Talon.
Ophelia and the team at GUSH are committed to educating the community about the many benefits of sustainable growing practices. They want people to know that urban vertical farming isn’t a trend; it’s a way of life and necessary for the future of food production in cities.
Photos courtesy of GUSH
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