As part of the pilot project, the products grown for the first time will be made available to the cooperation partners free of charge in exchange for feedback on the quality, shelf life, aroma and flavor profile, freshness and appearance of the products. Among the companies that will test their desired products are the Italian restaurant Terra in Kreuzberg and the Georgian restaurant Batumi in Wilmersdorf.

Over the past several months, seeds of various herbs and leafy vegetables have been sown and pre-germinated in germination rooms. Last week, the batch moved for the first time into one of the growth towers, where about 44,800 plants will be grown on a floor area of 122 m2 over the entire test phase. The vertical greenhouse facility in East Berlin has a total of three six-meter high growth towers with a total growing area of approximately 618 m2 in a controlled environment.

Andonis Sarmias, managing director of Potager Farm, comments, "We are not pursuing a strategy of rapid expansion; our focus is first on the products to perfect them for our customers. During our start-up phase, the main focus is to continuously improve the technology, our cultivation methods and the products we offer. With our pilot project, we want to create a win-win situation where our partners benefit from high-quality, sustainably produced products, while we can further develop and optimize the various profiles through valuable feedback."

Silvia Ve Bellusci, owner of Terra Restaurant underlines the importance of the cooperation: "As a restaurant, we attach great importance to freshness and quality. Until now, our sources of supply for certain ingredients were often far away, especially for seasonal products. By working with Potager Farm, we can now rely on locally produced food all year round and at the same time take a decisive step towards climate neutrality. Sustainable food production is a key future issue in the restaurant industry, so we are pleased to have Potager as a visionary partner on our side and look forward to working together."

The vertical farm and current production facility was converted in January from a former auto repair shop into sustainably usable growing space. The controlled cultivation of crops in vertically stacked layers within a closed building and independent cycle allows for the elimination of pesticides and the reduction of fertilizers and water. Using innovative technology from Scottish manufacturer IGS (Intelligent Growth Solutions), environmental conditions such as light, heat, humidity and nutrients are automatically controlled to maintain optimal growing conditions. In addition, photovoltaic panels from sister company Greenman Energy are located on the roof of the building, which has supplied the farm with some renewable energy to date, and most of it in the long term.

Potager Farm plans to fully commission the facility early next year and use vertical farming technology to grow produce from vegetables, leafy greens, lettuce, herbs, and potentially medicinal and cosmetic plants, as well as flowers, to supply shopping centers, supermarkets, retailers, restaurants and hotels in and around Berlin in the future. By combining innovative technology and plant science, Potager Farm aims to grow a wide variety of crops with a minimal environmental footprint in the heart of Berlin and invites companies to learn about the positive aspects of vertical farming and become part of the innovative movement. Those interested in collaborating can still apply for the pilot project by emailing hallo@potager.farm until the end of the year.