Lufa Farms

This interview details Lufa Farms, an indoor farming company based in Canada. The interview is with Callie Giaccone, Public Relations Coordinator of Lufa Farms.

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What is the origin story of Lufa Farms?

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Lufa Farms was born out of a passion for fresh, local, responsible food and a concern for sustainability. Mohamed Hage, one of our founders and CEO, grew up in Lebanon, where access to fresh and local produce was the norm in his village.

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However, when he moved to Canada, he was disappointed to see extensive food importation from distant places, which not only affected the taste but also had significant environmental implications. His dissatisfaction with this status quo led him to look for a solution - growing food on urban rooftops, right where people live, to minimize the need for long-distance imports.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing Lufa Farms in the future? 

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Some of the biggest challenges facing Lufa Farms include factors such as inflation and rising food prices. It's essential for us to navigate these economic challenges to make sure both our partners and customers are in a mutually beneficial situation. We strive to maintain a balance where everyone can access fresh, local, responsible food while addressing the financial pressures associated with food production and distribution in 2023.

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What is unique about Lufa Farms compared to competitors? 

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What sets Lufa Farms apart from our competitors is our innovative approach to urban farming. We cultivate food on rooftops, and we were one of the first to do so commercially. This unique method allows us to bring fresh, local produce right to the heart of the city, reducing the need for long-distance transportation and minimizing our environmental footprint.

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We also collaborate with hundreds of small to medium local farmers and food makers around the city. This allows us to provide customers with everything they'd find in their neighborhood grocery store, from eggs and cheese to flour and more. We have strict criteria that our partners must follow, including ingredient restrictions and best practices. In certain cases, partners adjust their ingredients to meet our Marketplace standards, particularly for ready-made meals.

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What is the current size of your growing area? 

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The current size of our growing area, which includes all of our greenhouses combined with our indoor farm, is approximately 550,000 square feet.

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Energy is a big topic in indoor farming right now. Is it mainly from the grid or renewables?

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We place a strong emphasis on using renewable energy sources. However, in the winter months for our rooftop greenhouses, we also employ natural gas to ensure consistent and efficient heating.

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How can people connect with you or learn more about Lufa Farms?

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You can stay updated with our activities on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or visit our website.

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