A greenhouse grows in Brooklyn

Whole foods and one of its produce suppliers are constructing the U.S.’s first commercial-scale greenhouse inside a grocery store.

The greenhouse (depicted in an illustration from Whole Foods, right) is being built atop Whole Food’s Gowanus, Brooklyn location, due to open in the fall.

It will be 20,000 square feet, and will grow pesticide-free fruits and veggies all year round for the Gowanus store, and other New York City locations.

According to Gotham Greens co-founder, Viraj Puri, whose company is designing, building and operating the greenhouse in partnership with Whole Foods, the concept takes the local food movement to a whole new level.

“This project takes the discussion from food miles to food footsteps,” said Puri, in a release.

“Our greenhouse will provide Whole Foods Market shoppers with access to the freshest, most delicious leafy greens, herbs and tomatoes, year-round that will be grown right above the store’s produce department,” Puri added.

Whole Foods approached Gotham Greens for the project.

“Gotham Greens has been a valued local supplier of high quality, flavorful and fresh produce to Whole Foods Market since early 2011, making this greenhouse project a natural and extremely exciting next step in our relationship,” said Whole Foods northeast regional president Christina Minardi.

“We’re particularly excited to partner with a local organization with roots right here in Brooklyn and a mission in line with our own, in that we both care deeply about providing local, fresh and sustainably produced food,” Minardi added.