Growing Underground, London’s first subterranean farm, opens for its first phase of full production today.
After months of product development and fine-tuning of the infrastructure, the farm is harvesting on a daily basis.
Twenty individual herbs are being cultivated in the former World War II bomb shelters 100ft underground and are being supplied to markets and wholesalers.
The farm is less than three miles as the Womble burrows from Parliament Square.
"This is major milestone for us – and for the global urban farming movement", said co-founder Steven Dring who set up the farm with his business partner Richard Ballard.
"We have been working in our food mine for more than two years and we’re thrilled to be bringing our first commercial scale harvest to the surface as Spring arrives.
"We think Londoners will agree, when they taste our produce, that it has been worth the wait."
Micro versions of green basil, red mustard, coriander, garlic chives, wasabi mustard, purple radish, red basil, salad rocket and pink stem radish are included in the current range.
The farm, 100 feet below Clapham Common in tunnels that were originally used for sheltering Londoners during the war, features state of the art lighting, hydroponics and ventilation – and offers Londoners the lowest possible food miles for the popular herbs, which are cultivated on special growing platforms.
Constant temperatures and the absence of pests contribute to the exceptional quality of the produce, which has already received positive reviews from critics.
Michel Roux Jr, Michelin-starred chef and a co-director of Growing Underground, said: "I’m delighted that Richard Ballard and Steven Dring have reached this important landmark in the development of the farm, which coincidentally is almost directly below my home.
"I’ve enjoyed working with the team on the development of the offering and I am confident that these amazing herbs will be extremely popular with Londoners.
"They’ll certainly be a fixture on the menu at Le Gavroche and I am developing a recipe with Growing Underground herbs at its center."
"We’re hoping Londoners will support us by buying our produce," Richard Ballard added.
"This is about sustainably feeding the city from within the city and contributing to our community through food, jobs and education."
London Mayor Boris Johnson backed the project last year, saying: "This is a fine example of the dynamic startups that are helping London lead the world in green business innovation.
"I want even more entrepreneurs to help create these brilliant concepts that are delivering thousands of jobs and boosting London's green economy to almost £30 billion a year. I wish Growing Underground every success."
Food lovers keen to get their hands on Growing Undergound herbs can order them from farmdrop.co.uk or visit Ted’s Veg at Borough Market or the London Farmers Market, County Supplies London, West Green Foods, 4DegreesC, and P&I wholesalers.
