Shipping Container Farms Save Water, Enable Year-Round Growth

Freight Farms builds hydroponic farms in repurposed shipping containers. The 325-square-foot boxes include red and blue LED lights to mimic day and night, plus a climate-control system for year-round farming. The units use 90 percent less water than conventional farming, and eliminate the need for pesticides by sealing off the immediate environment. Farmers can control the box’s growth settings using a smartphone app.

Freight Farms was founded in Boston in 2011, and raised $1.2 million late last year. Their $70,000-85,000 units have sold to chefs, restaurants, schools, food community entrepreneurs, and others, writes Amber Cortes.