Rooftop gardens are an innovative solution to greening urban environments and taking advantage of previously under-utilized areas. Established through Foodshare, a non-profit organization in Metro Toronto, Annex Organics has set up a rooftop garden/greenhouse system, and grows a variety of organic vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. Weight constraints of the rooftop are accommodated through a semi-hydroponic system, using conventional and mixed soil/waterbed containers. Additional nutrients are provided through composting, vermicomposting, mineral amendments, kelp meal, and a small-scale aquaculture system. Through collaboration with another Foodshare organization, Field to Table, Annex Organics works symbiotically by trading distribution of its fresh produce with compost materials like fish heads, and bones. Annex Organics also sells its produce to a variety of chefs and stores in Toronto. A living machine (recirculating biological waste treatment system) and living wall also increase the educational and environmental impact of the centre. Overall, through community awareness and commercial viability, Annex Organics demonstrates how alternative food production systems can thrive in the market economy. A diverse range of benefits include ecological, social and economic spheres. 

The success of Annex Organics demonstrates an alternative for increasing greenspace in the urban setting. It displays how an industrial rooftop can be converted into a thriving business run by youth, without any major financial burdens. Organizational challenges in progress include how to improve the structural concerns around railings. Annex Organics is presently run two hardworking and enthusiastic women - Lauren Baker and Tracey Loverock. Although Toronto is in its early stages of increasing food production within the city limits, it hopes to expand local food security through initiatives like Annex Organics. Currently, research developed at the Toronto Food Policy Council and Centre for Studies in Food Security are looking for viable projects to lead into the new millenium.  

Conserve Resources

Gardening on rooftops conserves energy by acting as an insulator and a solar sink/collector.

Manage Ecological Relationships

Biological pest controls help to manage pests instead of controlling them. Systems like the living machine intercrop commercial produce, integrate livestock, and recycle nutrients.

Adjust to Local Environments

Innovate use of urban space to grow food matches cropping patterns to the productive potential of the landscape, and adapts biota to meet the physical limitations of the farm landscape.

Diversify

Growing a variety of plants, fungi and animals, enhances the biota and landscape of the city. A range of economic activities including food production, preserving, education and value adding makes the organization economically viable and supports alternative markets.

Empower People

Annex Organics works with youth at risk and a variety of community groups to increase people-centric development and support local cooperative initiatives.

Value Health

Human and cultural health are promoted by encouraging community participation in rooftop gardens, educating people about the food system, and by providing nutritious, fresh produce. Increasing plant and animal interactions in the downtown area contributes to the Environmental Health of Toronto. 

City Farmer's Urban Agriculture Notes from Vancouver, Canada

Annex Organics reference

FoodShare Toronto, Canada

Living machines