As spring begins to, slowly but surely, show its face, so does the delicious seasonal produce we’ve been desperately craving. But there’s one tasty treat that’s arriving earlier this year: strawberries! And not any type of strawberry: the strawberries grown by New York-based sustainable indoor vertical farming company, Bowery Farming. Due to Bowery Farming’s innovative indoor farming method, the berries are ready before peak berry season. And, they’re delicious. Here’s a quick rundown on why and where you should snap up Bowery Farming’s goods…
Rather than the sprawling acres of farmland you probably have a mental picture of, Bowery Farming is all about repurposing non-arable spaces into smart farms – farms where crops are stacked vertically to make the most of the space and which serve the local area. Not only is its produce protected from the weather and pests, but Bowery Farming’s indoor farms can also yield up to 100 times more than in the great outdoors.
For those of us who are yellow-fingered - and that’s being generous, hydroponic growing is basically the production of crops without soil, a practice that has been around for thousands of years and what Bowery Farming is known for. We’re talking leafy and lush greens and herbs grown in water, often growing faster than a soil plant by at least 30%. Did we mention it’s also pesticide-free and sustainable?
Not only has Bowery Farming added strawberries to its produce-making repertoire, it claims to have grown the world’s most delicious strawberry – not once, but twice. Bowery Farming's berries blend the best of leading tech and nature (bee pollination) to launch two deliciously different berries, grown year-round. They're available in select retail and restaurant partners in NYC.
Both berries are grown pesticide-free and year round in Bowery Farming’s New Jersey farm. The Garden Berry is all about juicy sweetness – a proper summertime treat. Meanwhile, the Wild Berry is for your dark chocolate and experimental dishes with its bright, floral pops of flavor. If you don’t feel like deciding, you’re in luck – there’s a delicious tasting pack that features them both.
Here’s one cool thing about beer: it really takes on the flavor of whatever you’re adding to it. Which is why we’re super excited about Talea Beer Co’s limited-time offering of a Fruit Sour and a Berry & Basil Seltzer, created using Bowery Farming’s berries, and basil. Head to Talea Beer Co in Brooklyn on June 3 to taste the two drinks for yourself, served with a tasting of both Bowery Farming’s strawberry varieties. You can also purchase them in retail packs from June 3-10.