56% of the world's population lives in cities, rising to 68% by 2050. Urban farming is one answer to sustainable food production in an increasingly urbanized world.
Forms of urban farming: Balcony gardens, rooftop farms, vertical farms, community gardens, and smart indoor cabinets (grow boxes). GrowlyBox falls in the last category.
Why now? LED costs dropped 90% in 10 years, pandemic supply chain disruptions raised food security concerns, and demand for pesticide-free fresh food is growing — especially among younger generations.
Realistic home-scale expectations: A GrowlyBox cabinet can realistically cover most annual herb needs, regular microgreens and lettuce, and seasonal tomatoes/peppers — reducing dependence on supermarkets for some fresh produce.