After the launch of Corner Corner recently in Canada Water, Harvest London's co-founder, Matt Chlebek shares how the company is stepping into a new phase of growth—one that embraces both industrial vertical farming and community-integrated, hyperlocal models.
Chlebek says that the company is taking a two-pronged approach to the future of vertical farming: one model focuses on high-volume food production at an industrial scale, while the other integrates vertical farms into urban developments, making them visible and accessible to the public. These aren't competing strategies, they're complementary.
"Our next big project is a 32,500m² farm, and it's going to be one of the largest in the world," said Chlebek. "That's the large-scale, high-volume, national distribution side of our business. But at the same time, we're developing smaller urban farms like Corner Corner, which are designed to serve local restaurants and communities. It's about striking a balance."
© Sophie Harbinson
The business case for big and small farms
Vertical farming has long been seen as an all-or-nothing industry. Either you build massive, industrial-scale farms, or you stay niche. Harvest London is proving that both models can coexist. "Supermarkets need consistency at scale," Chlebek explained. "They're looking for massive volumes at predictable prices. That's what our 32,500m² farm is built for."
But on the other end of the spectrum, urban farms like Corner Corner are creating hyperlocal supply chains, reducing food miles and ensuring that restaurants get fresh, high-quality greens grown right next door.
"Our biggest challenge has never been demand, it's supply," Chlebek admitted. "Even if we built five more of these urban farms, there would still be more customers than we could serve."
© Sophie Harbinson
Why large-scale vertical farms are more cost-effective
One of the biggest criticisms of vertical farming is its high operational costs, particularly when it comes to energy. But scaling up changes the economics. "The bigger you build, the better your returns," Chlebek said. "Not just because of economies of scale, but because larger farms have access to better energy deals."
Once a vertical farm reaches a certain size, it can negotiate power purchase agreements or even co-locate with energy generation sites, drastically reducing electricity costs. "HVAC systems, lighting, and climate control get significantly cheaper per unit of production in a large-scale farm," Chlebek explained. "That's why supermarket-focused farms need to be big."
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Why small, urban farms still matter
Despite the financial benefits of scale, hyperlocal vertical farms still serve a crucial role. "Not everything needs to be industrialized," Chlebek said. "We're not going to be shipping microgreens from a massive industrial facility to a tiny café across London. That's where smaller farms like Corner Corner come in."
These urban farms offer more than just fresh produce, they create a connection between people and their food. "People want transparency," Chlebek said. "They want to see where their food is grown, they want to know it's fresh, and they want to support local food systems."
© Sophie Harbinson
A hybrid model is the future
This dual approach, combining commercial scale with local presence, Chlebek believes, is the key to building a food system that is both resilient and relatable - a model that can meet the demands of modern cities while restoring a tangible connection between people and the food they eat. "There's no single solution to feeding cities," he said. "It's a mix. We need large-scale industrial farms to provide volume, and smaller urban farms to connect people with their food."
For more information:
Matt Chlebek
Harvest London
matt@harvest.london
www.harvest.london