Key Takeaways
- Walmart Canada is now selling hyperlocal produce grown by Lufa Farms atop its Marché Central Supercentre in Montreal.
- This marks Lufa Farms’ first retail partnership and Walmart Canada’s first use of a rooftop greenhouse for in-store produce.
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers are harvested daily and made available to customers within hours.
- The 127,000-square-foot rooftop greenhouse uses hydroponic methods and resource-efficient technologies.
- The collaboration highlights both companies’ commitment to sustainability and local food sourcing.
Hyperlocal Farming Takes Root in Retail
Walmart Canada and Lufa Farms (Profile)have partnered to bring fresh, locally grown produce directly from a rooftop greenhouse to customers inside the very store beneath it. The produce—grown hydroponically on the 127,000-square-foot greenhouse above the Marché Central Walmart Supercentre in Montreal—includes a rotating selection of tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. This initiative marks the first time Lufa Farms produce is available through a retailer.
The produce is harvested each morning and made available in-store within approximately one hour, offering a uniquely short farm-to-shelf experience for consumers.
Lufa Farms’ Innovative Use of Urban Space
According to Mohamed Hage, founder and CEO of Lufa Farms, rooftops represent an underutilized opportunity in urban food systems. “Walmart has a huge network of rooftops across the country, and by transforming just one of them into a greenhouse, we’re showing what’s possible,” said Hage.
The greenhouse technology developed by Lufa Farms is designed for efficiency: it consumes about half the energy of traditional ground-level greenhouses, recycles up to 90% of its water, and incorporates LED lighting. These methods align with both environmental and logistical goals of sustainable urban agriculture.
Lufa Farms & Walmart: Retailer and Local Supplier Collaboration
Walmart Canada’s participation underscores its focus on regional partnerships and innovation in sustainable sourcing. “This collaboration with Lufa Farms brings that approach even closer to home,” said Sam Wankowski, chief merchandising officer at Walmart Canada.
The initiative builds on Walmart’s broader supplier engagement in Quebec, where it reports purchases of over $3.8 billion from more than 460 local suppliers last year.
Consumer Access and Sustainability
Customers visiting the Marché Central Supercentre can now buy daily-harvested produce from the rooftop above, as long as quantities last. The program aims to demonstrate how urban agriculture can scale to meet local needs while supporting sustainability and food access.
