Tanner Street aquaponic urban farm seeks funds

GrowUp founders Kate and Tom propose to set up an urban farm in the car park of arts venue 47/49 in Tanner Street using a recycled shipping container with a greenhouse on top.

The greenhouse will produce salad and vegetables whilst the shipping container will feature a fish tank containing tilapia.

The GrowUp model uses aquaponics to grow fresh fish and vegetables without any soil, chemical fertilisers or pesticides. Nutrient-filled water from the fish tank is circulated to the greenhouse to feed the plants. The plants purify the water before it is sent back to the fish tank.

In order to get the farm up and running in time for the Chelsea Fringe Festival in late May, the duo has launched an appeal for financial backing on crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

After a summer stay in Tanner Street, GrowUp hopes to relocate the container to another location.

With less than four weeks till the appeal closes, they are already more than half-way to their £15,000 target.

Any London resident who pledges £35 or more will get a fresh salad delivered to their door. A £100 contribution secures a packet of smoked fish and fresh greens.