Research & consultancy to develop and implement healthier systems.
FU:LABS specialises in Innovating new technologies, systems and solutions for urban food production, education and social impact. We create scalable, sustainable solutions and support with implementation.
Our Services
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Farm Urban has extensive experience designing and running crop trials within our operational vertical farm, using it as a living laboratory for research and innovation. We work with academic and industry partners to test new crop varieties, lighting regimes, growing conditions and system designs, generating robust data that informs both research outcomes and real-world operations. This ability to trial, evaluate and rapidly iterate within a working farm environment allows us to translate research into scalable, practical improvements for healthier and more sustainable food systems
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Farm Urban has a proven track record in the design and installation of bespoke vertical farming systems across community, commercial and institutional settings. Drawing on over a decade of operational experience, we deliver end-to-end solutions, from concept and system design through to installation, commissioning and training ensuring each system is tailored to its location, users and impact goals. Our approach prioritises reliability, efficiency and accessibility, embedding food-growing infrastructure that is easy to operate, scalable and designed to deliver long-term social and environmental value.
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Farm Urban has extensive experience delivering scoping studies to assess the feasibility, impact and long-term viability of urban food growing projects. We work closely with local authorities, community organisations, health partners and funders to understand local needs, assets and constraints, combining technical, social and economic insight. These studies provide robust evidence to inform decision-making, co-design place-based solutions and develop clear, deliverable pathways from early concept through to implementation.
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Community engagement sits at the heart of Farm Urban’s work. We have a strong track record of working alongside communities to co-design projects that respond to local needs, cultures and priorities, using food growing as a tool for connection, learning and wellbeing. Through workshops, training, education programmes and hands-on participation, we build trust, develop local capacity and ensure our projects are rooted in place, inclusive and led by the people they are designed to serve.
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Farm Urban provides strategic and advisory support to organisations looking to develop healthier, more sustainable food systems. Drawing on over a decade of operational, research and community experience, we advise on strategy, delivery models and partnerships that align social, environmental and financial objectives. Our approach is practical and evidence-led, helping partners move from ambition to action with clear, realistic pathways to impact.
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Farm Urban has a strong track record of delivering pilots and prototypes to test new ideas, technologies and delivery models in real-world settings. We design and implement small-scale trials that generate practical learning, combining technical performance with social and behavioural insight. This iterative approach allows us to refine systems, reduce risk and build evidence before scaling, ensuring solutions are robust, effective and grounded real world application.
What we deliver
What We Help You Achieve
Clear, evidence-based strategies for healthy, resilient food systems.
Insight & Analysis
Desktop research, scoping studies, mapping, and project development
Community
Engagement
Practical, hands-on engagement tools, co-creation workshops, citizen assemblies.
Pilots,
Prototypes
Bespoke systems, Edible Walls, micro-farms, school and community setting integrations.
Strategy
& Advisory
Holistic models for local food systems, vertical farming, behaviour change.
Featured Case Study
Building Healthier
Food Futures in Lambeth & Southwark
The
Challenge
Can community embedded vertical farming strengthen local food ecosystems, improve access to nutrition, and contribute to better long-term health outcomes without displacing or undermining the grassroots organisations already doing vital work ?
Our
Approach
Deep community-led listening and systems mapping followed by findings validation. Co-creation of practical pilots, engagement and strategic business case that embed vertical farming as a locally owned asset within existing food, health and community ecosystems.
The
Impact
The project delivered a robust assessment grounded in qualitative data, built trust through deep community engagement, co-created clear, actionable recommendations, and established credible pathways for piloting community-embedded
vertical farms.
Key
Insights
Culturally Relevant Crops Matter
Health & NHS Integration Is a Major Opportunity
Youth Leadership & Skills Are Central to Impact
Food Justice Must Lead, Not Technology
How We Work
Our Consultancy
Process
Flexible. Evidence-led. Community first.
UKRI Research Projects
Better Food for All
An Innovate UK–funded project led by Farm Urban, in collaboration with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and York University.
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To develop nutritionally optimised, locally grown “living greens” and embedding them into healthcare and community settings. The project combines the development of novel light regimes with sustainable growing systems to improve nutritional quality, access to fresh food, and understanding of health and environmental outcomes.
Better Food for All
An Innovate UK–funded project led by Farm Urban, in collaboration with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and York University.
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To develop nutritionally optimised, locally grown “living greens” and embedding them into healthcare and community settings. The project combines the development of novel light regimes with sustainable growing systems to improve nutritional quality, access to fresh food, and understanding of health and environmental outcomes.
Farm Urban, Manchester
A BBSRC-funded research project delivered with the University of Manchester.
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Embedding vertical farming systems into community and workplace settings across the city. The project combines novel growing systems and sensor technology with social science research to optimise crop production, understand health behaviours, cultural food preferences and how urban food growing can improve access, wellbeing and sustainability at a city scale
Reports & Publications
Evidence for healthier, regenerative city food systems.
Let’s build healthier food futures together.
If you’re a local authority, foundation, university, community organisation or business looking for a trusted partner experienced in urban food production, vertical farming or STEAM education we wan’t to hear from you.