# Garage-Grown Produce Vertical Fresh Farms is an Urban Farming Initiative in Buffalo By Rebecca Byers | Published 2015-04-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertical-fresh-farms References: [wivb](http://wivb.com/2015/04/08/urban-farming-reaching-new-heights-in-buffalo/) & [verticalfreshfarms](http://www.verticalfreshfarms.com/) Vertical Fresh Farms is a new urban farming business recently launched in [Buffalo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-pizza) by two brother-in-laws. Matt Latham and Jeremy Witt have a plot of 250 [romaine lettuce heads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romaine-leaf-lettuce) that they hope to continue expanding on. Currently working to expand the operation to include more crops, Vertical Fresh Farms uses a system called Aquaponics. The sustainable grow process utilizes waste created by Koi fish as fertilizer. The 200 Koi fish sit in a tank underneath the plants, while the system uses approximately 98% less water than traditional farming methods. This unique business venture is sure to influence the Buffalo foodie scene, while it is also a promising sign that [vertical farming](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-tower) is continuing to spread in urban centers through the US. Vertical farming can be an immeasurable resource in areas designed as food deserts, while it also provides much needed jobs. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 89% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Urban Farming:** Opportunity for businesses to adopt sustainable grow processes like Aquaponics to produce fresh produce in urban areas. - **Vertical Farming:** Growing trend of utilizing vertical spaces to maximize crop yields and conserve water in farming operations. - **Food Deserts:** Potential for businesses to address food scarcity in underserved areas through innovative farming techniques. ### Where This Applies - **Agriculture:** Agricultural companies can explore vertical farming methods to increase crop production and minimize water usage. - **Urban Development:** Opportunity for urban planning and development organizations to incorporate vertical farming as a solution to food deserts in cities. - **Restaurant and Food Service:** Restaurants and food service businesses can diversify their supply chains by partnering with urban farming initiatives for locally sourced produce. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Advanced Indoor Farming Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-indoor-farming.md) - [Expansive Local Vertical Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onefarm-vertical-farm.md) - [Enclosed Vertical Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-1.md) - [Modern Indoor Farm Stands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indoor-farm-stand.md) - [Urban Food Ecosystems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-sphere.md) - [Automated Commercial Kitchen Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instafarm.md) - [Packaged Microgreens Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaged-microgreens.md) - [Department Store Farming Investments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farming-brand-plenty.md) - [Vertically Farmed Leafy Greens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bristol-farms.md)