A VERY modern new Woolworths feature leaves shoppers stunned – and the exciting fresh produce addition is an Australian first
- Woolworths Metro in Erskineville, Sydney, launched in-store vertical farm
- Customers can now see their herbs grow in the herbicide-free-environment
- The project is a result of a collaboration with AgTech company InvertiGro
- Herbs on the wall are available for $3 each and can be tended to post-purchase
Woolworths Metro in Erskineville has launched Australia’s first in-store vertical farm where customers can shop fresh and sustainable herbs grown in the middle of the shop.
The farm has been dubbed ‘The Urban Garden,’ by Woolies as customers can now watch herbs like parsley, mint, basil, and coriander grow in the herbicide and pesticide-free-environment of the fruit and vegetable section.
The project is a result of Woolworths’ partnership with Sydney-based AgTech innovation company InvertiGro.
Woolworths Metro in Erskineville has recently launched Australia’s first in-store vertical farm where customers can see fresh and sustainable herbs grown in the middle of the shop
Before the herbs are transported to the shop, they are planted and partially grown on an indoor farm in Rosebery.
Woolworths views the partnership as an opportunity to create more awareness around the benefits of prioritising Australian-farmed products.
The Urban Garden is a sustainable way to introduce city-dwellers to the benefits of small-time indoor farming.
InvertiGro is also committed to reducing food waste by growing their herbs close to where their produce is going to be consumed – which significantly reduces the amount of food lost in transportation and handling.
‘This is a great opportunity for Metro Park Sydney Village customers to connect with the provenance of their produce and an exciting platform for Woolworths Metro to create greater awareness for innovative Australian farming methods, helping us grow a greener future,’ Woolworths Metro Director Justin Nolan told FEMAIL.
He added, ‘We look forward to our shoppers using the hyper-local fresh herbs available at the Urban Garden to garnish and add flavour to home-cooked meals.’
Woolworths views the partnership as an opportunity to create more awareness around the benefits of prioritising Australian-farmed products
The AgTech company also creates smaller bunches of their herbs in order to reduce wastage once consumers take the products home.
Herbs grown on the wall will be available in bunches for $3 each, and customers are also able to tend to the plants at home for prolonged usage.
Many locals expressed their delight over the initiative on social media.
‘Wow! I’d love to see one of these in Gawler,’ said one person from Adelaide.
‘Congratulations Woolies – looks spectacular, let’s just say smoking fresh,’ one commenter wrote.
‘I love knowing exactly where my fruits and veggies are growing,’ said a third. ‘This makes me so happy as a long-time customer.’