Hydroponic Farming With Mary Scala

The Chicagoan

Mary Scala’s heart has always been in the hospitality industry. She started working in restaurants at a young age, but amidst the pandemic, she lost her job like so many others. As Scala was trying to understand her next step in life, she spent a lot of sleepless nights researching future foods and food supply chains.

“I landed on an article, in one of those sleepless nights, about this manufacturer called Freight Farms, and I was blown away. It was the first time in a couple of weeks where I felt a little bit of hope, energized and full of goosebumps. I was like, ‘this company is amazing.’ So I had every intention to call them the next day and say, I know we're on lockdown, you guys aren't in the office, but I'll come to scrub your toilets. Just how do I get my foot in the door? I want to be part of what you guys are building.”

Although Scala didn’t get an opportunity to visit the company, her sister had a similar project that gave rise to “Freight to Plate.” The company’s primary goal was to integrate farms into communities and they’d need to be true experts by owning a farm.

“From there on out, we put a business plan together to make one farm, you know, a sustainable business model. We got our SBA loan to fundraise and purchase that farm. Within a year, the farm was delivered to Chicago. From there we had our first full farm harvest six weeks later.”

Scala’s personal mission is to create a food-positive Chicago, create awareness for clean food and ensure nutrient-dense food within a maximum of a 5 mile radius

“Our solution to a food-positive Chicago is integrating these farms into as many communities as possible. I don't believe there need to be food deserts, especially as many food deserts as we have in our city. One in six people in Chicago go hungry every day.”

Tune to the episode and listen as we explore hydroponic farming with the Founder of “Freight to Plate,” Mary Scala, and the obstacles they have had to overcome in the agricultural industry!