Fresh produce grown on site at Berlin Metro Cash & Carry

Store employees of Metro Cash & Carry in the Berlin district of Friedrichshain, are growing herb…

Store employees of Metro Cash & Carry in the Berlin district of Friedrichshain, are growing herbs and vegetables, using a high-tech kitchen garden developed by local start-up company INFARM.

The system allows the employees to grow produce on a thin, nutrient-rich layer of water in a space-saving vertical growing facility, known as hydroponics.

The cultivation method means that Metro Berlin-Friedrichshain’s customers can buy the freshest-possible produce. It has also allowed Metro to shrink its carbon footprint by cutting out the need for transport, and it doesn’t require any pesticides.

So far, the store has seen various herbs and vegetables thriving on just around five metres of space. Each plant is provided with the optimum amount of nutrients and light to grow, ensuring that it develops a more intense flavour naturally.

The products are packaged while they are still growing, so that they do not need to be harvested until shortly before they will be used.