Brooklyn Grange: an example of business innovation

This week we have been discussing business innovation and I wanted to take the opportunity to share an example of a business which I think is truly innovative! I was lucky enough to complete a season working at Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm recently and I think they are a fantastic example of innovative and creative business. The farm operates over two rooftops in New York City, totaling about 2.5 acres. Growing a wide range of veggies and salad greens, they supply restaurants across the city, as well as members of the public who sign up to their weekly CSA (community supported agriculture) scheme. However, this is not all they do. Brooklyn Grange have also found a multitude of ways to expand their business, reach out to the community and work with other organizations across sectors. Here's a few examples:

Rooftop yoga

Rooftop dinner parties

Weddings

Green roof installations

Sales a farmers markets

Production of items such as honey and hot sauce

Creation of a non-profit arm called City Growers which invites city kids up to the farm to lean about growing food and eating healthily.

Working alongside the Refugee and Immigrant Fund to provide a place where asylum seekers can take on a paid fellowship to provide English immersion, healing and community.

What I noticed during the short time I was at the farm was that they were always trying something new, never content to rest on their laurels. I think it is this kind of attitude that keeps businesses in touch with their communities, keeps them relevant and pushes them forward. This attitude runs through every layer of the organizational structure - although there is clear leadership, the ideas of everyone are welcomed!