Rooftop farms also supply the community, including local restaurants, with more than 36 tons of organic vegetables every year and generates dozens of jobs. #rooftopfarming

Rooftop gardening has evolved into rooftop farming as more city buildings devote space for small-scale fruit and vegetable production to enjoy its many benefits. In Manila and New York, there are such thriving makeshift organic food factories proving that such green concept is feasible and sustainable in the urban setting.

For civic group OnePlate which feeds homeless children in Metro Manila, small-scale rooftop farming has supported its cause. A 45-square-meter garden at the top floor of its four-storey building in Manila produces more than 20 varieties of fruit and vegetables enough to feed 100 street children.

“Green roofs” have a cooling effect as it reduces summer heat reflected by buildings during the day. (Brooklyn Grange)

On a larger-scale, rooftop farming more than provides food. New York City rooftop farm lessor and operator Brooklyn Grange says “green roofs” have a cooling effect as it reduces summer heat reflected by buildings during the day so it doesn’t linger at night. This helps reduce energy cost by lowering air-conditioning demand.

The 2.3-hectare soil in Brooklyn Grange’s three farms on top of three industrial buildings absorb millions of liters of rainfall preventing storm runoffs from overflowing sewers and polluting the Hudson and East River. They also supply the community, including local restaurants, with more than 36 tons of organic vegetables every year and generates dozens of jobs.

Moreover, the rooftop farms host educational tours and teach students sustainable farming.

Meanwhile, Roof Crop grows food for restaurants on a handful of roofs in Chicago. Its Emme apartment building’s third floor green roof hosts a 3,000-square-foot vegetable garden while the roof deck on the 14th floor has a 5,000-square-foot garden.

In Toronto, the 22,000-square-foot garden on the roof of the Hugh Garner Housing Cooperative serves as a leisure park for locals with its flower beds, trees, an herb garden, gazebos and PWD-friendly picnic tables.