With soaring grocery prices across Canada, many households struggle to keep food costs manageable. One company helping to ease this burden is Lufa Farms, a pioneer in urban farming and food subscription services. Through rooftop greenhouses and partnerships with over 400 local producers, Lufa Farms is revolutionizing how Canadians access fresh, affordable food.
To learn more about their approach, I spoke with Emily, Communications Specialist & Marketing at Lufa Farms, who shared insights into the company’s mission, challenges, and the growing demand for local food.
Cutting Costs by Growing Closer to Home
One of Lufa Farms’ biggest advantages is reducing the number of steps groceries go through before reaching consumers. “We minimize transport time, space, and distance by sourcing 97% of our products from Quebec, Ontario, and Canada,” a Lufa Farms representative explains.
By eliminating long-distance supply chains and focusing on hyper-local production, Lufa Farms keeps prices competitive while delivering fresher food. Their rooftop greenhouse model also plays a key role—each new greenhouse is designed to be more efficient, allowing them to produce more food at a lower cost.
The Rising Demand for Local, Affordable Food
As food prices continue to climb, Lufa Farms has seen a surge in demand. “The situation is stressful for everyone—our partners, our customers, and the general population. But one silver lining is that more people are consciously choosing to support local food suppliers.”
This shift not only benefits affordability but also strengthens Canada’s food security by reducing reliance on international imports.
Challenges in Expanding Local Food Accessibility
While Lufa Farms has successfully built a network of rooftop farms and local partnerships, scaling this model comes with challenges. One major hurdle is finding large enough rooftops to expand greenhouse operations. Additionally, infrastructure limitations, such as access to high-voltage electricity, can slow down the process.
Despite these barriers, Lufa Farms continues to partner with municipalities and local businesses to make urban farming a viable long-term solution.
A Balanced Pricing Model That Benefits Everyone
Unlike traditional grocery stores, Lufa Farms operates on a collaborative pricing model. Instead of driving prices down at the expense of local farmers, they work closely with partners to ensure fair pricing for producers, the company, and customers.
“It’s a whole ecosystem,” the Lufa Farms team explains. “We never negotiate prices so low that our partners suffer, but we also make sure our customers can still afford to buy local food.”
Will Food Subscriptions Become the New Norm?
With 15 years of experience, Lufa Farms has been ahead of the curve in rethinking grocery shopping. While food subscription services aren’t new, they’re gaining traction as an affordable, sustainable alternative to traditional grocery stores.
“We’d love for this model to become the norm,” Emily says. “Consumers often think buying local is much more expensive, but that’s not always true. Many locally grown greens, meats, and dairy products are priced competitively—even compared to big grocery chains.”
A Mission to Change the Food System
At its core, Lufa Farms is on a mission to create a better food system—one that’s local, sustainable, and accessible. Their vision? Rooftop farms in cities worldwide, bringing fresh produce directly to where people live.
By choosing services like Lufa Farms, Canadians aren’t just saving money—they’re supporting local businesses, reducing their carbon footprint, and investing in a more sustainable food future.
