Scunthorpe might be thousands of miles from the sunny Mediterranean, but it now supplies much of the UK’s basil.
The Lincolnshire town is home to Europe’s largest vertical farm, where the temperature is a steady 28C with a humidity of 75%. Here plants grow under an artificial sun in rows 17 high.
The windowless warehouse of Jones Food Company, built three years ago on an industrial estate, mimics warmer, prime growing conditions, but offers a more sustainable, cheaper way of farming without the air miles.
James Lloyd-Jones, who set up the farm, said: “Everyone thought we were crackers. Since November not for one day has that farm been switched off.
“Why are we importing from Colombia, Kenya or Holland?”
His farm has become so successful that James has joined with Ocado to build what might be the largest vertical farm in the world.
It is estimated the new site in Gloucestershire, which will open in the new year, will supply 1,000 tons of fresh produce to UK supermarkets.
He has also been designated an ambassador to the Glasgow climate summit through his company’s use of solar power.
They found that it is more efficient to convert the sun’s energy to electricity powering the unit’s LED lights than to farm conventionally.
James also explained how vertical farming “allows us to grow in 17 layers, so every acre becomes 17 times more productive”.
He added: “It allows us to grow entirely without pesticides and using 95% less water. And it means we can significantly reduce the air and road miles of the foods we grow.”
The company aims to expand into cut flowers, rosemary, chard and spinach.
“We are looking at things like vine crops to mimic good wine,” James said.
“And I’ve done turnips and carrots. They taste fantastic.”
