Rooftop garden producing food, reducing carbon footprint
A partnership between Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Nutrition and Food Services (NFS), and Infrastructure Management is taking environmental stewardship to new heights…on the roof of the Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon.
Over 130 pounds of fresh produce has been harvested from aeroponic towers on the RUH rooftop through the SHA’s planetary health initiative. While reducing the SHA’s carbon footprint, the pilot is also increasing awareness about the impact of food on health and well-being.
In addition to the health benefits of consuming high-quality, nutritious, locally grown food, the impact to the planet is equally impressive. Lettuce grown in the vertical garden towers requires 95 per cent less water than lettuce grown in the ground. Water used in the tower garden is contained, recycled, and reused. Produce grown on the rooftop travels just six floors down to the RUH kitchen rather than being trucked over 2,500 kilometres to Saskatoon from its country of origin. The garden is also pesticide-free.
The rooftop garden pilot will be evaluated to determine its long-term potential as well as the possibility for future expansion to other SHA facilities.
