FARMZER0 targets 2 million square feet to feed Chicago

Russell Steinberg, founder and CEO of FARMZER0, has begun converting empty office space in downtown Chicago into vertical gardens. The company grows edible greens in these units and delivers them to restaurants, caterers, office buildings, and high-rise residents nearby. Steinberg states that the company addresses three specific issues: office vacancy, public health crises, and food system challenges.

Chicago currently holds approximately 45 million square feet of vacant office space. Steinberg calculated that FARMZER0 would need to convert only 2 million square feet of that total to provide adequate vegetables for the entire city. This calculation suggests that a small fraction of the available empty space could meet the city's basic vegetable needs.

The downtown business district maintains a vacancy rate between 25% and 30% following the post-pandemic return to offices. Steinberg notes that much of this empty space is located in older office buildings. These structures are often harder to repurpose due to older infrastructure. Newer commercial spaces are easier to reuse, and they also contribute to the current vacancy figures.

A specific FARMZER0 location uses about 650 square feet of vacant office area. The operation runs quietly with continuous water flow to keep plants hydrated. Steinberg says the water usage is lower than that of a fully functioning office. The primary sounds in the space come from water running and the occasional use of scissors for harvesting crops.

Chef Matthew Wilde of Blue Plate Chicago incorporates FARMZER0 produce into his catering service. Wilde described the partnership as a win-win arrangement. He noted that the company utilizes otherwise vacant downtown space to grow clean, farm-to-table greens in an urban setting. Wilde emphasized that supporting local farms, even in a city environment, is important to Blue Plate's business model.

Dr. Kimberly Gray, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Northwestern University, researches how cities can reinvent themselves. Gray considers vertical farming a viable and climate-friendly option for metropolitan areas. She explained that indoor farming can bring fresh produce to urban communities at a lower cost. Gray added that this method can reduce the environmental impact of the last mile of delivery, which is often highly polluting in urban settings.

Steinberg reported that FARMZER0 has received inquiries from several cities interested in replicating the high-rise farming model. The company is currently seeking a partnership with officials in Los Angeles. Steinberg hopes to develop a specific project for the 2028 Olympic Games in that city.