Largest vertical farm

The world's largest vertical farm, based on growing capacity, is operated by AeroFarms (USA) inside a 6,410-square-metre (69,000-square-foot) former steel mill in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Opened in November 2016, the facility grows 250 different types of vegetables and herbs, including arugula (rocket), kale and mizuna, on trays stacked on 12-tier shelving units that stand up to 9.1 metres (30 feet) high and are fitted with LED lights that serve as artificial sunlight. Aeroponic systems are used to provide the greens with nutrients, water and oxygen using 95% less water than field farming. At full capacity, the facility supplies some 907,000 kg (2 million lb) of greens to New Jersey and New York grocery stores each year.

Each tray of seeds are germinated and grown on a recyclable plastic cloth, originally made from 24 recycled water bottles.

Owing to the consistent, year-round conditions, the farm can have up to 30 harvests per year (versus three lettuce harvests in a good year for an outdoor farm in New York state).