C-LED technology brings greenhouses into the world of retail.

Greenhouses in supermarkets and in-store growing. This project, which C-LED has been working on together with Cefla, has aroused a great deal of interest.

It is a simple and incredibly effective system that can be installed in the retail world, as well as in restaurants or small sales outlets, to promote the concepts of nature, freshness and sustainability. The microgreens are cultivated with the help of scientifically tested lamps, which accelerate their growth and allow them to be “harvested” in any season.

Where did the idea come from?

Alessandro Pasini, managing director of Cefla Lighting, told us that: “It all started from an article we read, from Nasa, about food in space. We set ourselves a challenge, almost for fun, to grow strawberries in our office.”

Today, in addition to strawberries, over 100 varieties of microgreens are available, including radishes, leeks, coriander, peas, mustard, basil and edible flowers. The produce is more sustainable in terms of lower CO2 emissions than traditional crops, as it reduces the steps in the supply chain and the need for long-distance transport. It is also more nutritious, with a vitamin content up to 40 times higher than that of normal vegetables.

A “low cost” choice: the costs of a grow-unit are comparable to those of any professional household appliance, with the addition of a few litres of water each week and an electrical consumption similar to that of an old incandescent light bulb.

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This post is also available in: Italian

C-LED is a Cefla company specialising in the design and production of electronic applications and personalised lighting solutions that respond to customer requirements.