A new vertical farming project at The Ottawa Mission will serve as a consistent supplier of fresh produce to some of Ottawa's most vulnerable residents. The initiative, developed in partnership with Growcer and supported by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), is designed to reduce reliance on imported food and improve year-round access to healthy greens.
The project is funded through a $1.5 million donation from RBC to the Ottawa Community Foundation's Food Resiliency Foundation Fund, which supports the expansion of sustainable food production and education across Canadian communities.
Thousands of pounds of fresh greens annually
The new farms include two Growcer Osiris units installed at The Ottawa Mission's premises. The modular systems, measuring 40 feet by 10 feet, use deep water culture hydroponics to produce crops such as lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens.
"We found deep water culture to be more reliable, productive, and forgiving for new growers," says Corey Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Growcer. "With these two farms, The Ottawa Mission can produce up to 20,000 pounds of fresh greens per year, produce that would otherwise be difficult and expensive for organizations like this to source."
© Growcer
Improving access to fresh food for vulnerable residents
The Ottawa Mission, which has been serving the city since 1906, provides shelter, food, and support to thousands of people each year. The organization now serves over one million meals annually and has expanded its food truck program to deliver more than 10,000 meals per week across Ottawa.
"The fresh produce will be used directly in our daily meals, especially in soups, salads, and stir-fries," says Chef Ric Allen-Watson, The Mission's Director of Food Services. "As we scale, we'll adjust menus to incorporate more of what we grow."
Vertical farming adds new opportunities to workforce training
Beyond food production, the vertical farms are integrated into The Mission's free Food Services Training Program (FSTP), which provides individuals with skills and experience to work in commercial kitchens. The addition introduces students to sustainable food production and controlled environment agriculture.
"It complements our program by adding a food-growing component," says Allen-Watson. "It also opens up new career paths in urban agriculture and controlled environment farming for our graduates."
© Growcer
A model for other Canadian cities
According to Ellis, the project reflects broader interest across Canada in using vertical farming to address food security challenges. "Ottawa is the first city to implement a model like this, but it won't be the only one," he says. "Other Canadian cities are looking at our model as a template for their own city to replicate with food charities and municipalities, working in partnership to deliver impact."
He adds that Growcer's farm-as-a-service option, which allows organizations to subscribe to the farm for an affordable monthly fee rather than covering high upfront costs, has made the approach more accessible. One example is Kingston, Ontario, where the city is using revenue from parking fines to fund a Growcer project that distributes produce across multiple food banks and charities.
© Growcer
Reducing reliance on imports and stabilizing food costs
In Canada, approximately 90 percent of leafy greens are imported, making local production a key priority. "Anything we can do to increase domestic production will improve our food resilience on a macro level," says Ellis. "However, the daily impact of a project like this is also important. Organizations like The Ottawa Mission are being asked to do more with less when the demand for their services is only increasing, and so are the costs of providing it."
The Mission hopes the farms will help offset those costs over time. "It makes us more self-reliant by reducing our dependence on external food sources, helping to stabilize both cost and supply," Allen-Watson explains. "Most of the produce we are currently purchasing comes from the USA."
Expansion remains a long-term goal
The Ottawa Mission says expanding its vertical farming operation remains a long-term possibility, depending on space, funding, and infrastructure. With demand for its meal programs continuing to grow, the organization sees the new farms as an important first step toward greater self-sufficiency.
"We'd love to expand," says Allen-Watson. "The interest and potential are definitely there. It comes down to having the resources to do it."
For more information:
The Ottawa Mission 
Myles Dingwall, Senior Communications Officer
mdingwall@ottawamission.com
www.ottawamission.com
Growcer
Stephanie Gordon, Content and Communications Manager
stephanie@thegrowcer.ca
www.thegrowcer.ca
RBC 
Erika Whitmee, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
erika.whitmee@rbc.com
www.rbc.com/peopleandplanet