Viewpoint: At $17/pound, vertically farmed vegetables are nowhere near sustainable

On [June 10] the city council of Jersey City, New Jersey [voted] on awarding a three-year, $1 million contract to the company AeroFarms to build 11 vertical gardens on city properties. The company estimates it will be able to churn out 19,000 pounds of leafy greens a year from these installations, which will then be distributed for free to city residents.

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According to AeroFarms’ estimate, it will be able to produce about 58,000 pounds of produce over the life of its three-year contract.

This means that the city is paying $17 per pound of leafy vegetables produced. Even if one excludes the construction costs of the vertical farms (which would presumably be usable after the three-year contract ends), it’s still paying a little over $7 per pound of produce.

A quick online search shows the city could buy a pound of spinach from Safeway for under $2 a pound. A 1-pound package of organic mixed greens at Walmart costs a little less than $5.

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It’s quite possible that one day, vertical urban farms will be a far more efficient option. Unfortunately, that day isn’t here yet.

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