NYC Food and Climate Summit
BrightFarm Systems Managing Director to Speak At NYC Food and Climate Summit
(New York, December 2, 2009)
BrightFarm Systems, Managing Director will speak at the NYC Food and Climate Summit: Creating a Platform for Change on December 12th at the Kimmel Center, NYU. The Summit is co-sponsored by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Just Food, and NYU.
Managing Director, Benjamin Linsley, will speak about BrightFarm Systems’ work integrating cutting edge technology with ecological principles to design high yield, environmentally sustainable hydroponic greenhouses that are run using a building’s waste heat and renewable, local sources of energy and water.
“Our systems offer a powerful solution to some of the principle challenges facing cities: how we reduce the environmental impact of growing produce, reduce the distance food travels before reaching consumers, and provide fresher, better, more nutritious produce to all urban consumers. The Manhattan Borough President has once again demonstrated his commitment to pushing these issues to the front of the political agenda in New York City and I’m delighted to be asked to speak at this year’s conference,” says Linsley.
The Food and Climate Summit has been organized to increase engagement and action around NYC’s food system’s role in climate problems and solutions.
BrightFarm Systems is a specialist greenhouse design consultancy, focused exclusively on the design of hydroponic rooftop farms. They have designed greenhouses for schools, grocery stores, developers, nonprofit organizations, and commercial greenhouse operations.
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More information about BrightFarm Systems and their projects can be found on the web at www.brightfarmsystems.com.
CONTACT:
Danielle Gould
BrightFarm Systems
Tel: +1 212.358.1100
Fax: +1 212.757.7564
dgould@brightfarmsystems.com
www.brightfarmsystems.com
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- There are approximately 14,000 acres of unshaded rooftop space in the five boroughs of New York City. Based on modest commercial hydroponic yields, and the per capita fresh vegetable consumption in the US, this unused rooftop space is capable of meeting the needs of over 30 million people.
- A 22,000 square foot commercial rooftop farm would cost between $1.5 – $2million to build; but can generate up to $1 million in annual revenue
- Hydroponic greenhouses yield up to 20 times as much produce per unit area of land compared with conventional field agriculture. They are lightweight, and will attach to most NYC roofs.
- A hydroponic greenhouse yields between 10 and 20 lbs of vegetables per square foot per year in temperate climates
- Transportation accounts for 75% of the total energy required to produce lettuce in New York City.
- A rooftop farm built for a food cooperative in low income communities, addresses the urban food desserts.
