World's Largest Vertical Farm Opens in Former Food Desert

For 15 years, residents of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood had to travel over 30 minutes to buy fresh vegetables. That changed this week with the opening of SkyGreen Farms — the world's largest urban vertical farm. The 100,000-square-foot facility, built in a converted warehouse, produces 2 million pounds of leafy greens, tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs annually using 95% less water than traditional farming and zero pesticides. But what makes SkyGreen truly special is its community-first model: 50% of produce is sold at subsidized prices to local residents, 30% goes to area schools and food banks, and the remaining 20% is sold to restaurants to fund operations. 'I can walk five minutes and buy fresh kale for my kids,' said resident Tamika Williams, a mother of three. 'That was impossible before.' The farm also created 150 full-time jobs, prioritizing local hires. 'We're not just growing food,' said founder Marcus Johnson. 'We're growing community.'