The Location

‍📍 United Kingdom

Across cities worldwide, people face a broken food system: long supply chains, nutrient loss, food miles that rack up emissions, and limited access to fresh, healthy produce.

Farm Urban flips that script by growing food where it’s eaten—right in the heart of communities. Using vertical farming, they produce fresh, pesticide-free greens locally, delivering quality, consistency, and availability all year round.

This hyper-local approach reduces carbon emissions, avoids hundreds of miles in transport, and saves 95% more water than traditional farming—all while making healthy food accessible to those who need it most.

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The Problem‍

Our food system is failing both people and the planet:

• Millions lack access to affordable, nutritious food
• Produce often travels thousands of miles before reaching plates, losing freshness and emitting CO₂e along the way
• Agriculture is a major driver of biodiversity loss and climate change
• Children grow up disconnected from where food comes from and how it’s grown

In the UK, high food miles and heavy pesticide use further degrade health and the environment. Communities need a better way to source and share healthy food.

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The Solution‍

Farm Urban’s model embeds vertical farms into the fabric of society—transforming urban spaces into hubs for nutrition, education, and sustainability. This initiative:

• Grows pesticide-free produce locally, supplying it to communities that need it most
• Cuts ~995+ food miles per delivery, avoiding ~2.5 kg CO₂e emissions per meal portion
• Saves 95% more water compared to field-grown crops
• Creates high-tech, meaningful jobs for local people
• Runs education programmes reaching one child for every five donations
• Integrates green infrastructure into cities, boosting biodiversity

Vertical farming isn’t just a way to grow food—it’s a climate solution and a social impact tool.

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Partners‍

Farm Urban – a Liverpool-based social enterprise using vertical farming to improve health, reduce carbon, and reconnect people with the food they eat. Founded in 2013, Farm Urban now works across schools, communities, and organisations to embed sustainable food systems where they’re needed most.‍

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What is Vertical Farming?‍

Vertical farming grows crops in vertically stacked layers, often indoors, using controlled-environment agriculture. This method:

• Eliminates harmful pesticides
• Reduces water usage by up to 95%
• Avoids long-distance transport, keeping food fresher
• Allows production all year round, regardless of weather
• Integrates easily into urban spaces, from schools to office buildings

With Farm Urban’s approach, these farms double as education and engagement hubs, teaching communities how sustainable food systems work while providing fresh produce.

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The Impact

• $2.25 = 1 meal portion provided
• ~995+ food miles avoided per delivery
• ~2.5 kg CO₂e emissions avoided per meal portion
• 95% water saved vs. field-grown crops
• 1 child educated for every 5 donations (£0.20 × 5)
• 100% pesticide-free produce

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Project Highlight: Community Education‍

Through school-based vertical farms and hands-on workshops, Farm Urban connects children to food in a way textbooks can’t. Students plant, harvest, and eat greens grown in their own classrooms—building lifelong awareness of nutrition and sustainability.

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Project Highlight: Local Health Initiatives‍

Working with local councils and health organisations, Farm Urban supplies fresh greens to food-insecure households, improving access to nutrient-rich food and reducing reliance on processed alternatives.

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Sustainable Development Goals Supported‍

🥗 Zero Hunger
💧 Clean Water & Sanitation
🏙️ Sustainable Cities & Communities
♻️ Responsible Consumption & Production
🌍 Climate Action
🌱 Life on Land
🎓 Quality Education

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How You Can Help‍

With Ecodrive, your business can support Farm Urban’s mission to make cities greener, healthier, and more resilient. Tie everyday sales, customer actions, or internal milestones to vertical farming projects that provide meals, cut carbon, and educate the next generation.

Integrate seamlessly with Shopify or your e-commerce platform, track your real-time impact, and use our marketing toolkit to share the story with your customers. Together, we can grow a food system that works for both people and the planet.