Can you imagine a city that grows most of its food on its very own rooftops, where tomotoes ripen on the vine year round - even in the dead of  winter.  That's the idea behind Lufa Farms, which operates 4 rooftop greenhouses in and around Montreal and delivers more than 25,000 fresh picked vegetabe baskets to its customers every week.

Founded in 2009 by Mohamed Hage and Lauren Rathmell, Lufa sprouted from the idea that urban farming could grow crops where people live, without using any new land, and deliver food without the carbon footprint of long distance transportation. 

'When you buy a tomatoe in the winter, you're probably getting one that's been trucked in from California or Mexico,' says Lauren. 'We deliver ours right to you the day after they are picked.'

Hydroponic technology helps Lufa's greenhouses operate sustainably, recylcing about 90% of the water used by the plants. In lieu of pesticides, ladybugs and parasitic wasps devour aphids and other pests. Using residual heat from the building below, each farm requires half the energy of greenhouses on the ground. Meanwhile, the company's programmers keep operations nimble with greenhouse automation. Software manages delivery logistics while allowing customers to tailor their own baskets, choosing from 50 varieties of fruits and vegetables, plus other items, lke bread and cheese from local producers.

Lofa Farms in one of many similar urban-farming projects around the world, with commercial greeenhouses and gardens springing up in places like London, Paris and New York. It is predicted that city-grown crops could eventually make up 10% of the global food supply. 

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There are a number of strata units in Vancouver that could easily suit the needs of those who cannot afford bigger homes at this time, especially first time buyers.

In the West End, living in smaller units is somewhat easy because of the convenience of the location. For example there is currently at 416 square foot, fully furnished studio, just steps from Stanley Park, restaurants and shopping with an asking price of $619,800.

Homes such as this fit the need for many in Vancouver, looking for small spaces, micro-condos, micro-suites or whatever you would like to refer to them as. These people are active and spend little time at home, and appreciate the lower taxes and maintenance fees that these units provide.

Who said you have to spend a million plus to live in a beautiful Vancouver neighbourhood?

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Here are a few weird and (somewhat) interesting facts that I was completely unaware of. How many did you know?

Flamingos bend their legs at the ankle, not the knee

They essentially stand on tip-toe. Their knees are closer to the body and are covered in feathers.

Froot Loops loops are all the same flavour

No point in eating around the purple ones - all Froot Loops taste like froot.

Supermarket apples can be a year old

These weird facts might have you changing the way you eat. Those fresh apples aren't all that fresh. They are usually picked between August and November, covered in wax, hot-air dried, and sent into cold storage. After 6 to 12 months, they finally land on your grocery store shelves.

It's impossible to hum while holding your nose

You just tested it, didn't you? Normally, when you hum, the air is able to escape through your nose to create the sound, and of course, it can't do that when you're holding it shut.

The British royal family is named after Windsor

You would think Windsor Castle was named after the House of Windsor, but it's the other way around. The royal family changed its name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1917 so it would sound less german and chose Windsor because they had ties to the English town.

The Statue of Liberty used to be a lighthouse

About a month after the statue's 1886 dedication, it became a working lighthouse for 16 years, with its torch visible from 24 miles away.

At Keith Vines and Associates, we offer good old fashion service, working with our home buyers and sellers in a relaxed, friendly manner, applying every available tool available to achieve the best possible outcome. We also love referrals and will gladly pay for them. If you would entrust us with your friends/family, kindly send them our way. Refer, and You Shall Receive