Set up in partnership with Square Mile Farms, The Orangery combines advanced hydroponic technology with vertical farming techniques to grow 35,000 plants and achieve a yield that’s equivalent to 1.1 acres of traditional farmland.
Owned by the Good Eating Company (part of Sodexo), the new restaurant aims to bring environmentally conscious practices to the forefront of London’s food scene, whilst championing British heritage and modern flavours. The new farming technique addresses the challenge of food production in cities, but could also be a model for the future.
The urban farm is said to use 90% less water than traditional methods as plants grow faster in the controlled, nutrient-rich, well-lit conditions and can be harvested 365 days a year. Around 70% of the produce is used in the Orangery Restaurant, which serves customers from breakfast to dinner. The remainder of the produce is donated to schools, communities and charities across Camden.
The restaurant runs educational farm tours for local schools, colleges and universities, as well as holding events such as gardening clubs, community harvests, and seminars on urban farming.
