Tag: Vertical Hydroponic Farm

FarmBox Foods Grateful for ‘Coolest Thing’ Recognition

A high-tech farm housed in an upcycled shipping container was the top winner at this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.

The top 10 nominees were joined by 300 attendees at the annual awards ceremony Oct. 23 at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, including state dignitaries, business leaders, chamber staff, students and supporters.

The controlled-climate container farm — manufactured in Colorado by FarmBox Foods — has been deployed worldwide to enable people and organizations to sustainably grow food in places where farming is typically not possible, whether due to short growing seasons, poor climate conditions, limited space or infertile soils.

“A recognition like this is a true honor and shows that we’re on the right track,” said Rusty Walker, CEO of FarmBox Foods. “Since the beginning, we have led with our mission and values and followed our instincts, and it’s brought us to this point.”

Walker said having a spotlight like the one that comes with the ‘Coolest Thing’ award could be a catalyst to inspire others to adopt the ag technology and feed people. He promised the company would be “good stewards” of the award and what it stands for.

Jason Brown, vice president of operations for FarmBox Foods and the original designer and builder of the company’s prototypes, said he’s grateful for the excitement generated by something that started with a simple idea: using tech and science to grow food using fewer resources.

“Our role has been designing, building and delivering the technology. It’s our customers who are doing great things with it, and having the privilege of watching them impact their community in a positive way will never get old,” Brown said.

The Vertical Hydroponic Farm is a 320-square-foot container farm that reduces water usage and energy consumption associated with food production. It allows users to grow healthy food year-round, no matter the climate, and eliminates the variables that often come with traditional farming, including impacts from weather and pests. Growing near the consumer also reduces food miles and preserves shelf life. The company delivers the farms anywhere in the world they’re needed.

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest to highlight Colorado’s booming manufacturing industry.

Vote for the Vertical Hydroponic Farm as the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Colorado’

Voting Opens for the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado “People’s Choice” Award

DENVER – Online voting opened today for the Colorado Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado People’s Choice award (edit: voting concluded on Oct.. 6, 2025). The fourth annual contest celebrates the vibrant and diverse manufacturing industry across the state.

“The People’s Choice award is one of the most exciting parts of this contest as it gives Coloradans the chance to support their favorite products from local businesses across the state,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “These finalists showcase the creativity and innovation happening in Colorado, and we’re excited to see which product will stand out as this year’s People’s Choice!”

FarmBox Foods’ Vertical Hydroponic Farm was named as a top-10 finalist last month.

“Southwest is proud to champion the People’s Choice at Coolest Thing Made in Colorado, honoring innovation and celebrating the best of Colorado’s businesses and communities,” said Lexi Muller, senior regional manager of corporate responsibility at Southwest Airlines, the People’s Choice sponsor.

Voters can select up to three of their favorite products from the top 10 finalists list for the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado. Individuals can vote once per day until voting closes on October 6. The Colorado Chamber will announce winners of both the People’s Choice award and the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado top winner on Oct. 23 at the Coolest Thing Made Awards Banquet.

Voting is open now through October 6. Votes can be cast on the Coolest Thing Made in Colorado website here: https://coolestthingcolorado.com/peoples-choice.

The Colorado Chamber’s Coolest Thing Made in Colorado contest is presented by FirstBank, and the People’s Choice Award is sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

Watch the Chamber’s promotional video featuring all 10 finalists for the People’s Choice award here.

Edible Beats Announces Hydroponic BeatBox Farms At Vital Root

Edible Beats, the Denver-based restaurant group that includes Linger, Root Down, Vital Root, Ophelia’s and El Five, has announced the installation of a Hydroponic FarmBox by Colorado-based FarmBox Foods in the backyard of their plant-based Denver staple, Vital Root.

Edible Beats, the 100% Employee-Owned Denver-based restaurant group founded by Chef Justin Cucci, has announced the installation of a Hydroponic FarmBox by Colorado-based FarmBox Foods in the backyard of their plant-based Denver staple, Vital Root.

Coined BeatBox Farms, the hydroponic farm fits perfectly into the Edible Beats family, where a love of music and sustainability are at the forefront of every initiative. This specific initiative is a step towards providing all of their restaurants, including Root Down, Vital Root, Linger, El Five and Ophelia’s with their own homegrown fresh produce, adding to their over 50% locally sourced ingredients within Colorado. Embedded in the fabric of Edible Beats restaurants are their commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. From 100% wind-powered buildings, to compostable storage bags and gloves, BeatBox Farms is another step towards reducing packaging waste and lowering their carbon footprint, as it eliminates the shipping of the produce.

Within the 320-square-foot Vertical Hydroponic Farm (VHF), plants will go from seed to harvest and can yield the equivalent of up to 2.5 acres of farmland annually, with the capability to grow 7,800 plants at once. Expecting to harvest 120 lbs of veggies and greens weekly, they will be growing a variety of produce: Red Russian Kale, Runaway Arugula, Tat Soi, Hon Soi, Wasabina Mustard Greens, Scarlet Frills Purple Mustard Greens, Watercress, Basil, Cilantro and Dill. And by filtering and recycling water, BeatBox Farms uses 99% less water than traditional farms, and is committed to being pesticide-free, insecticide-free and fertilizer-free. All factors that allow Edible Beats to avoid groundwater contamination.

At the helm, Edible Beats FarmBox Cultivator and AgriCULTURist, Cori Hunt has had a rich history in the culinary and farming world. After working in Central Illinois to start the first Farm/Restaurant collaboration, Epiphany Farms, Cori says, “I have witnessed the better path first hand. Now I strive to help spread the word of this better path and align myself with likeminded people and groups. That led me to Edible Beats, who have been on the frontlines of this concept in Denver since the conception of Root Down.”

With this kind of local farming, the self contained vertical hydroponic grow system produces 10x more volume year round then the equivalent size of a traditional farm, with a daily consumption of roughly $20 in energy, and only 4 gallons of water per day. Cori shares, “Together we are attempting yet again to break as many molds as possible, pick up the pieces and build a better future.” As a leader in farm-to-table dining, Chef/Founder Justin Cucci has pioneered a culture of sustainability over the years with practices that go well beyond the kitchen. “I really wanted to have a sustainable culture for the employees,” explained Cucci.

This year, Edible beats joined a small handful of restaurants in the country, implementing a pioneering, self-funded 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Rarely seen in the restaurant industry, his 350+ Edible Beats employees will all share in the long-term financial worth of the company, which Cucci calls “the quintessential win-win.”