Cold winters aren’t known for cultivating fresh vegetables–but that may be changing thanks to a groundbreaking greenhouse that recently opened atop a soap factory on the Windy City’s South Side. At 75,000 sq. ft., the sprawling garden is likely the largest rooftop farm in the world, says Viraj Puri, CEO of urban agriculture group Gotham Greens, which runs the project. The hydroponic growing system aims to sprout 10 million leafy greens and herbs annually, which will feed hundreds of local grocery stores and restaurants, offering Chicagoans a taste of the daily harvest year-round. “It’s an adaptive reuse of urban space,” Puri says.
–Julie Shapiro
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com