There’s an innovative new take on urban farming afoot. Farmwall is a Melbourne-based startup that is focused on creating vertical, edible farms that bloom within the walls of the city’s cafes and restaurants.

Co-founders Geert Hendrix, Serena Lee, and Dr. Wilson Lennard hope to use it to provide a new outlet for creating sustainable food production in the metropolis. Farmwall was born as a way to create ‘cities that feed our planet’ and is described by its founders as a sustainable ecosystem for urbanites.

“Farmwalls demonstrate a natural approach to growing fresh produce. The vertical farms provide a consistent supply of fresh herbs and microgreens, at the fingertips of the chef. By growing produce on-site, Farmwalls reduce packaging waste and high food miles while introducing quality, freshness and variety in Melbourne’s hospitality scene,” explains the group.

Each wall is custom-designed and maintained by the Farmwall team, who make weekly visits to bring trays of germinated seeds for growth. The only thing required from the chefs and surrounding restaurant team is the harvesting of the vegetables themselves. And the initiative already has famous fans, with Melbourne’s beloved Higher Ground confirmed as Farmwall’s first venue.

The first instalment of crowdfunding is expected to finish shortly, with $18,000 of the $30,000 required already raised. Click here to contribute to the initiative.