Ottawa Mission and Growcer unveil hydroponic farms to combat hunger, growing 9,000+ kg of greens yearly under LED lights in Nepean.

A New Kind of Urban Farming Takes Root in Ottawa

Two innovative hydroponic farms are being launched in Ottawa to combat rising food insecurity—minus the soil and sunlight. Instead, these farms will grow leafy greens under energy-efficient LED lights inside shipping container-like structures. The project is a collaboration between the Ottawa Mission and Growcer, an Ottawa-based agri-tech company specializing in vertical farming.

Partnership Born from Shared Purpose

The initiative, unveiled at Invest Ottawa, is driven by Growcer’s mission to tackle food insecurity through sustainable indoor farming. Founded by University of Ottawa graduates Corey Ellis and Alida Burke, Growcer has already deployed over 120 hydroponic farm units across Canada, mainly in First Nations communities. This latest project marks their first large-scale deployment in their hometown.

“Mayor Sutcliffe challenged us to act locally,” said Ellis. “This is our backyard, and we knew we had to step up.”

Meeting a Growing Crisis Head-On

According to the Ottawa Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report, nearly 25% of households in the city experience food insecurity. The Ottawa Mission, which serves thousands through shelters and a mobile food truck program, has seen demand skyrocket. CEO Peter Tilley called the partnership a “perfect fit,” emphasizing the need for a consistent supply of fresh greens.

“Our food programs are growing fast,” Tilley said. “Having a sustainable, local food source is a game-changer.”

Farms Set to Launch in Nepean

The farms will be installed in the coming weeks at Area X.O, a cutting-edge innovation hub located near Woodroffe Avenue and West Hunt Club Road in Nepean. The facilities will grow five leafy greens—various lettuces, spinach, kale, and arugula—in a fully climate-controlled environment. These crops can be harvested year-round regardless of weather conditions.

First Harvest Arrives This Summer

By late summer, the first batches of produce—expected to exceed 9,000 kilograms annually—will be distributed through the Mission’s food programs. The farms will also serve as hands-on training grounds for students in the Ottawa Mission’s Food Services Training Program, many of whom are newcomers to Canada.

“Some of our students don’t even know how vegetables are grown,” said Chef Ric Allen-Watson, founder of the training program. “Now they’ll not only learn, they’ll be part of the process.”

Scalable Vision for Citywide Impact

Growcer hopes to expand far beyond these first two farms. Ellis revealed plans to install 12 more farm units across Ottawa over the next year, in collaboration with various local food banks and charities. While specific partners weren’t named, the goal is clear: make fresh produce more accessible, sustainable, and local.

“This isn’t just about feeding people—it’s about transforming how cities think about food,” Ellis said. “And the freshness? It’s unmatched.”

Community-Backed, Mayor-Endorsed

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe praised the program’s potential to scale citywide, calling the farm units “easy to replicate” and ideal for schools, food banks, and neighbourhood programs. The project also received financial backing from the Royal Bank of Canada through a donation to the Ottawa Community Foundation.

As food insecurity climbs across Canadian cities, Ottawa’s vertical farms may offer a replicable model of resilience—one container of leafy greens at a time.

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