Rooftop Republic Urban Farming

04/06/2024

𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙪𝙨 celebrate🎊 our great 🥬𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙚 harvest at Digihub!

We're thrilled to share our recent bountiful harvest of delicious lettuce at the Digihub urban farm at DBS Bank's office located at Two Harbour Square in Kwun Tong.

Lettuce, a popular crop rich in vitamins A and C, has always been a favourite for both home cooks and professional kitchens. That's why it's been our choice to grow them on our rooftop farms and have them donated to social enterprise 北河同行, founded by Ming Gor, who then distribute free meals to the underprivileged in the Sham Shui Po community.

This time, we've harvested a whopping 15kg of lettuce, which translates to hundreds of nutritious meals for those in need! We'd like to express our sincere gratitude to DBS Hong Kong for their continued support, which makes initiatives like this possible.

30/05/2024

【Bringing communities closer through farming】

One can easily name a few benefits we can gain from farming: food, a connection with nature, improved health etc. Yet, in urban settings, there's an additional perk: the opportunity to forge new friendships with shared interests.

Collaborated with Housing Authority and Hing Wah Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (興華耆樂中心) of Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre Social Welfare 循道愛華村服務中心社會福利部, we ran a 6-month community farming programme last September at Hing Wah Estate. With 20 planters, the farm provides a holistic urban farming learning experience for the community who live in this neighbourhood.

From learning the types of plants we grow and organic farming techniques in the talk sessions, to hands-on experience planting seedlings in soil, watering plants and harvesting fresh produce in the urban farming workshops, our participants have immersed themselves in the joys of urban farming and through this, lasting friendships blossomed among our new urban farmers.

Scroll through our photos to check out the sheer delight our new farmers experience while tending to their crops!

29/05/2024

Excited to be a partner with Green Is The New Black for the 𝘊𝑜𝘯𝑠𝘤𝑖𝘰𝑢𝘴 𝘍𝑒𝘴𝑡𝘪𝑣𝘢𝑙 𝑥 𝑖 𝐿𝘪𝑔𝘩𝑡 𝑆𝘪𝑛𝘨𝑎𝘱𝑜𝘳𝑒 this year!

Join us to explore an amazing mindful night marketplace where you can shop (sustainably!), and also learning while you play.

Happening from May 31 - June 2nd & June 7 - 9 & 21 at Marina Bay, the Conscious Festival will feature a marketplace with over 50 conscious brands and attendees can engage in transformative talks, wellness workshops, interactive art, and participate in purposeful games.

The marketplace is open to the public (free entry), talks are S$25 and workshops are S$35, use the code 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒𝟏𝟎 to get 10% off.

To learn more about the festival or to register, visit: https://www.theconsciousfestival.com/tickets

Friends in Singapore, looking forward to seeing you there!

23/05/2024

We're thrilled to share the latest updates from the super colourful and vibrant rooftop oasis, at Miele Experience Centre.

This season, the rooftop farm has flourished, yielding an array of fresh, sustainable produce grown just steps from Miele Experience Centre. From Cherry tomatoes to Taro and Radishes, every harvest represents both Miele and our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.

At Miele, it's always more than just appliances. They're dedicated to sustainability and fostering communities to live greener. By embracing urban farming practices, Miele is reducing food miles, minimising its environmental footprint, and nurturing a deeper connection to the delicious plant-based food we love to cook and share.

Stay tuned for more updates and delicious farm-to-table creations coming your way. Meanwhile, swipe through for some stunning snaps captured by our expert farmer at the Miele Rooftop Farm!

22/05/2024

Skyline food grown for the communities 🌱

Our collaborative initiative, Farm@Fortune, supported by Fortune REIT and DBS, continues to thrive, bringing meaningful change to our community.

Fortune REIT goes beyond providing essential services for residents. Since late 2021, they've created space for Farm@Fortune, the urban farm on the rooftop of Fortune City One, promoting organic farming and food waste reduction among their staff and the communities nearby.

Recently, the incredible team at Fortune REIT joined us for a monumental harvest and donation effort, again. From Hok Tau Bak Choy to Komatsuna and Swiss Chard, we gathered a whopping 48 kg of fresh produce together —setting a new record for Farm@Fortune! The organic veggies were then donated to Foodlink Foundation 膳心連基金 and sent to their partnered non-profit organisation afterwards.

A huge thank you to Fortune REIT staff volunteers for your heartful participation. Together, we're cultivating change, one rooftop garden at a time.

22/04/2024

【Introducing Food Sustainability in International Culinary Institute】

We had a fruitful season last year at the 酒店及旅遊學院 (HTI), 中華廚藝學院 (CCI), 國際廚藝學院 (ICI) .

With taro, ginger, strawberry, radish, chard, and more to harvest and with a yield of nearly 80kg last year, our future chefs🧑‍🍳have developed numerous recipe ideas, enriching their portfolios with creativity.

Specially designed for our chef-to-be, our program focuses heavily on providing the ultimate farm-to-table learning experience and grooming aspiring youths with not just culinary arts skills, but also the ability to utilise fresh, organic veggies, and herbs.

The new semester began in January, meaning we welcomed back our students from winter break, and they have the chance to witness a new growing season at our urban farm🍀. We're looking forward to hearing different stories from them on their food literacy journey!

11/04/2024

The Sino Farm Together 148 rooftop farm is flourishing in full swing!🍀

Thanks to our prime location, cultivating fresh veggies in Hong Kong's winter months has always been a breeze. Being perched high above, our rooftop farm boasts an even more impressive harvest.

In February, we held two successful harvest sessions. With the help of the wonderful Sino 148 Electric Road tenants, we reaped almost 40kg of organic produce, including Yau Mak Choy and Lettuce.

But it's not just about the yield; urban farming brings people together. With a rooftop farm right in your office building, you can step away from work and easily reconnect with nature just outside your door.

💚For those who participated in our harvest sessions, we hope you enjoyed your time at the rooftop and we look forward to seeing you at our next yield!

08/04/2024

Rising above the bustling shopping and dining district of Tsim Sha Tsui is our latest urban farm project with City’s Time 城市恒常 - Henderson Land 恒基兆業地產 - Harvest Above at H Zentre!

This rooftop farm embraces the concept of wellbeing in the city. From growing superfoods such as moringa, beetroots, kale, to inviting tenants of the building to enjoy a closer connection to nature and access to freshly harvested produce, Harvest Above at H Zentre opens up a host of possibilities to citydwellers to make a positive impact on the health of our planet and of our cities.

We are deeply honoured to be a supporting partner of the official launch of Harvest Above at H Zentre, where we welcomed Mr Chan Kwok- ki, GBS, IDSM, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and Mr Augustine Wong Ho-ming, JP, Executive Director at Henderson Land, and 80 mentors and mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme on a farm tour and harvesting activities, complemented by a salad-making session led by aqua’s Executive Chef Ilaria Zamperlin.

Congratulations to Henderson Land Development for the launch and we are glad to be part of your journey!

02/04/2024

🌱Ever thought composting and managing food waste could be convenient?

What is your first impression towards food waste? Smelly🤢? Dirty? Can't wait to get rid of it?🗑️

Believe it or not, dealing with food waste doesn't have to be unpleasant. In fact, it can be incredibly useful and even interesting and creative.

A few months ago, we held a special composting talk and demonstration session for food charity More Good HK and their clients. Participants had the opportunity to explore various composting methods, such as Bokashi and home composting, and learned about the different types of kitchen waste that can be composted in our daily lives.

The beginner's key to conquering food waste? Don't be afraid of it! Once you take that first step into composting, you'll discover that living a zero-waste life and embracing recycling becomes not just possible, but exciting! ♻️

Are your teammates Interested in turning kitchen scraps into gold? Reach out to us to learn more about our demo talk!

22/03/2024

We had an absolutely fantastic time harvesting radishes with a couple of families on the Metroplaza 新都會廣場 Rooftop Farm last month!

Just when we thought that people might have had enough radishes during the Lunar New Year, the reality is, no one can resist the charm of freshly plucked radishes!

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly witnessing the joy on the faces of the children as they pulled those gorgeous radishes straight from the soil. It's a beautiful reminder of how innately connected kids are to nature and how effortlessly they form bonds with their environment.

It was also heartwarming to observe how such a simple yet enriching experience brought families even closer together and fostered a deeper appreciation for food, farming and the environment.

To everyone who joined us on the day, we hope you enjoyed the experience. We are looking forward to harvesting more different veggies together with you next time!

08/03/2024

Women play a vital role in our agrifood systems. According to the FAO, women make up about 40% of the global agriculture labour, and yet they also produce more than 80% of the food consumed by developing countries.

This International Women's Day, we want to celebrate the invaluable contributions of women all around the world who grow food, feed us with love, and spread the joys of farming.

We would also like to do a special highlight on our incredible team of energetic superwomen - with their love for nature, strong bonds with the environment and their dedication to engaging different communities they hope to transform and inspire the future generations ahead.

Happy everyone!

29/02/2024

🌿【Farming is not a sunset industry anymore in Hong Kong】

In the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong, farming isn't fading away with the sunset—it's experiencing a vibrant resurgence.

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Andrew Tsui, our Co-Founder highlighted the immense potential of urban farming in Hong Kong, stating that it's currently on the rise.

"The business sector could take part by offering up space for farming, helping them to achieve their environmental, social and corporate governance goals", he said.

Instead of recognising private buildings as green architecture, he thinks the most enticing move for corporates would be to increase the development density of new sites that confirm setting aside space for farms.

Check out Andrew's interview on SCMP here👉🔗 https://bit.ly/49SPWQJ

19/02/2024

🌱👩‍🌾 New urban farmers - in the making

We are grateful for the opportunity to hold a get-together activity for a couple of families to celebrate the festive season last Christmas! Our urban farming workshop held in 領展 愛‧匯聚計劃 LINK Sustainability Lab was filled with laughter, learning, and leafy green.

Despite the chilly weather, our participants eagerly immersed themselves in our half-day green fingertip experience. The day started with a session at the LINK Sustainability Lab where we delivered a talk about urban farming and the food system in Hong Kong. It was followed by a workshop in which the attendees learned how to grow their own pots of seasonal vegetables.

They then took part in an urban farm tour at the Lok Fu Place Urban Farm, guided by our knowledgeable teammate where the participating families had a chance to enjoy the smell of fresh herbs and check out what veggies were under the farm nets.

Thank you to all the families who joined us in embracing the spirit of sustainability and togetherness this holiday season. We're hopeful that this immersive experience has sparked a newfound passion for urban farming and inspired you to embark on a journey as urban farmers in the new year!

09/02/2024

🐉 Happy Year of the Dragon! Traditionally, a dragon usually symbolises strength, fortune, and a blessing for farming. 🌾

At Rooftop Republic, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a prosperous Lunar New Year ahead, filled with abundant harvests and countless opportunities! 🎉

今年係龍年，傳統上「龍」代表力量、時運，亦經常被視為係對耕種嘅祝福。

我哋雲耕一族祝大家喺新嘅一年，龍年順景、豐衣足食、身體健康、龍轉乾坤！

29/01/2024

【How has Rooftop Republic transformed the farming industry, once considered a sunset sector, into a sustainable movement and solution?】

A big thank you to Green.Hospitality for inviting Michelle, our Co-Founder and COO, for a podcast interview last month.

The interview delved into how Michelle and her team have been dedicated to repurposing idle and unexpected spaces, such as rooftops, within our urban jungle into areas that can cultivate food and reconnect city-dwellers with nature since founded.

Michelle also highlighted that over years of work, there has been a noticeable trend of diverse clients joining the urban farming movement. This trend underscores the idea that urban farming is evolving into a universal proposition, capable of bringing together people of all ages.

"...𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙒𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙤𝙣𝙜..."

Listen to learn more about Michelle and her team's journey to transform urban spaces into food hubs and many other opportunities.

🎧Tune in via▶️
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3AGfXEg
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3wj8AQv
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3QQWR6p

11/01/2024

📍New school farm alert 🌿

We're super excited to share our new urban farm installation for Victoria Shanghai Academy 滬江維多利亞學校, creating another nature classroom for the future generation!

Making farming accessible to young people and bringing nature-based education to schools is part of our mission at Rooftop Republic. By learning to grow their own food at a young age, students are more likely to adopt healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. They can also develop a mindset about green living, reducing waste, and appreciating nature that will prepare them well for their future.

We're thrilled to see that nearly 20 students from the Gardening Club participated in the farm set-up at the school. Keen to have ownership of the farm from the get-go, the students rolled up their sleeves, and worked with our team on setting up the auto-irrigation system, sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings. Guess what? These young farmers will have a big mission ahead - they will now be responsible for taking care of the farm on their own from now on!

Scroll left to check out some snapshots of the young farmers getting their farm ready!

07/12/2023

🌱Scraps to Soil: A Saturday Well-Spent!

Last month, we had the pleasure of joining forces with Garage Society and 泥玩 Soil Trust : 集「棄」還田 for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to tackling food waste and embracing composting.

The eagerly anticipated "Scraps to Soil" event was a resounding success, and we're truly grateful to have been part of this meaningful initiative.

The day unfolded with enriching conversations sparked by the eye-opening documentary "Belongs-to-the-Field," shedding light on the incredible work carried out by The Soil Trust and local partners in fostering community through addressing the challenge of food waste in our city.

Our participants also enjoyed a fantastic urban farm tour and a 'bokashi' composting workshop, creating hands-on experiences that reinforced the event's central theme.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners, as well as My Green Mantra and Earthero Project for joining us on this journey. We're eagerly anticipating more impactful events like this, bringing together sustainability and urban farming enthusiasts to share ideas and foster a greener future!

05/12/2023

【 special】Did you know that 95% of our food comes from soil? Soil is the very source of life. It provides nutrients for plants and human lives depend on it. However, as climate change intensifies, soil health is more at stake than ever.

Enhancing soil health is crucial for achieving sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. Healthy soils are characterised by rich biodiversity, abundant nutrients, and an optimal pH balance. Also, they should possess the ability to effectively retain water, a critical factor for plant growth and crop productivity.

Here are a few ways to achieve healthier soil:

✅Composting: Transform kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost to enhance soil fertility.
✅Crop-rotation: Rotate your crops to prevent soil-borne diseases and maintain a balanced nutrient profile.
✅Reduced chemicals use: Minimise the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to preserve the natural balance of the soil.

(🌱Do you know any other ways to boost soil health? Share with us below in the comments!)

Soil is a precious resource that we must protect. By taking steps to improve soil health, we can ensure a sustainable future for our planet and our people. Together, we can create happy soils for happy lives!

04/12/2023

Big thanks to AVPN for featuring our urban farming journey and exploring our groundbreaking ideas for reshaping Hong Kong's ecosystem.

In the heart of bustling Hong Kong, our urban farms offer a unique escape from the fast-paced city life. It's a chance to live comfortably in a highly commercialised environment while fostering a deep appreciation for food and the environment.

Rooftop Republic's success and impact are driven by a powerful trilateral partnership with building developers, tenants, and property management companies.

“By partnering with these three stakeholder groups, we could successfully secure idle urban spaces and develop rooftop farms. Additionally, we hope to engage a broader audience, such as building employees and their families and friends. Each party plays a role in maintaining this long-term, stable triangle relationship, which grants us the flexibility to meet varying needs,” shared Andrew, CEO and Co-Founder of Rooftop Republic.

Read our feature story in full on AVPN here▶https://bit.ly/3uJgcxP

Hong Kong’s skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers, fragmenting the city’s sky. Andrew Tsui, who shuttles through the narrow streets, often contemplates how urbanites can live comfortably in a highly commercialised environment while cultivating an appreciation for food and the environment....

20/11/2023

Rooftop Republic is pleased to be a supporting partner for “Building Back Greener: Addressing Climate Change in Asia” hosted by Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society, held on December 5, 2023!

Asia, the home of 60% of the world’s people, is on the frontlines of climate change with the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters and extreme weather events. Hong Kong is no exception. At Rooftop Republic, we aim to work closely with both the private and public sectors to fulfil our roles towards mitigating climate change.

This event explores the role of the private sector, and how leading Asian corporations are addressing climate change.

Register now to join the conversation with our speakers 🎫👉
https://asiasocietyhk.glueup.com/event/building-back-greener-addressing-climate-change-in-asia-92344/

16/11/2023

❓What can help nourish our soil and grow healthy fruit and vegetables?
❓When is food waste really waste?
❓What can we do to repurpose and divert waste from landfills?

The answer may be right there in your own home!

Join us this Saturday 18th Nov 3-5pm for "Scraps to Soil", where together with we will be presenting an afternoon to inspire and catalyse action towards creating circularity in our food system, starting from the individual. The program includes:

🎥 A special documentary screening of "Return to the Field"
♻️ A bokashi composting session
🌱 An urban farm tour

🍻We're also excited to share that has also sponsored their special brew - the Chestnut Ale - for all attendees of our event.

✅ To save your seat for the event, check out the link in bio!

12/10/2023

Congratulations to Dream Impact 夢創成真 for your launch of the ESG Innovation Hub and for your ESG Showcase at ReThink!

From building an eco-system in Lai Chi Kok to connect impact enterprises and corporates and creating a warm and communal space for resident partners to grow and thrive, to hitting the new milestone at the ESG Innovation Hub in The Executive Centre, Dream Impact has been a strategic partner for Rooftop Republic and many other resident partners over the years.

We take pride in being a part of their journey and eagerly anticipate our future collaborations!

03/10/2023

[Rooftop Republic x Carbon Wallet Partnership]

We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Carbon Wallet HK, the largest green lifestyle reward platform in Hong Kong!

Carbon Wallet measures your carbon savings from green action and rewards you with green products and experiences.

🙋‍♂️🪴 How to get involved?

1⃣ Earn 50 Carbon Wallet Points for every purchase you make at our online store.

2⃣ Redeem our Microgreens seeds and our signature Microgreens Grow Kits at our online store using your Carbon Wallet Points.

Join us to start living a low-carbon and climate-friendly lifestyle today!

Visit our online store and unwrap the joy of sustainability and urban farming 👉 rooftoprepublic.com/pages/store

🆙 Don't forget to download the Carbon Wallet App here! https://bit.ly/3qlmn9t

10/09/2023

Join us at "Scraps to Soil" where we'll dig into the secrets of composting in Hong Kong with a documentary screen and hands-on bokashi composting workshop. ♻️️

Discover the stories of organisations and individuals working to change the status quo around food waste as we join forces with 泥玩 Soil Trust : 集「棄」還田 and Garage Society to proudly present a thought-provoking documentary 'Belongs to the Field' that delves into the intricate challenges of composting in Hong Kong.

In this documentary, we’ll dive into the inspiring project of Soil Trust to discover how the team unlocked the potential of turning food scraps into something incredible.

Following the screening, you'll have the exclusive opportunity to engage in a discussion with the director, and enjoy an urban farming tour and bokashi workshop at the urban farm nestled in the vibrant Wan Chai district.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, explore, and make a difference in reducing waste. Together, we can transform scraps into something truly valuable! 🌍✨

Details of the workshop:
📆 Date: October 14 (Saturday)
🕒 Time: 15:00 PM-18:00 PM
📌 Venue: Garage Academy Campus (4/F, Beverly House, 93 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai)
🐦 Early Bird: $200 (order before Sep 21!)
💰 General Admission: $250
🚶On the Day: $300

Sign up here: https://rooftoprepublic.com/products/scraps-to-soil

06/09/2023

Learning all about the provenance of our food at a rooftop urban farm!

Our Metroplaza (SHKP) Rooftop Organic Farm has again welcomed another squad of young visitors. Local and also exchange students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Service-Learning and Leadership Office paid us a visit to learn all about creating social impact through urban farming, as one of their Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Exchange Programme activities.

Through this farm visit, students experienced firsthand how urban farming can create different opportunities in social, economic and environmental aspects, while also influencing human behaviour towards sustainable practices.

Glad to have the opportunity to engage our group of future leaders who champion sustainable food systems, and to inspire our future generations to strive towards a more sustainable and equitable future with us!

28/08/2023

Congratulations to Fortune REIT for the latest version of their ESG Report! We are proud to have been part of Fortune REIT's sustainability journey.

We have partnered with Fortune REIT for the past few years through Farm@Fortune on the rooftop of Fortune City One. Farm@Fortune donated more than 70 kg of fresh harvest to local NGOs such as Feeding Hong Kong and Foodlink Foundation 膳心連基金 to benefit those in need. Fortune REIT has also organised a number of farm tours and workshops for their employees, tenants, and members of the public as part of their community engagement activities, in order to get city dwellers involved in the fun of urban farming and to work on their green thumbs.

With each harvested vegetable and every enlightening workshop, we are not just growing plants, but fostering a community that is rooted in sustainability. We congratulate Fortune REIT and Farm@Fortune on their achievements, and we look forward to cultivating a greener future together.