Plant Vegetables in a shopping centre? Yes, it is possible.

Forum Castelo Branco announced its latest acquisition: an urban rooftop garden that aims to make the space more sustainable and support and engage the community. 

Forum Castelo Branco shopping centre, managed by Cushman & Wakefield, has recently invested in the acquisition of an urban garden, which will contribute to the sustainability of the shopping center, and benefit the region’s community. 

The investment was made in April, and the vegetables were planted by the 2nd year class of Escola Padres Redemptoristas school, who were invited to visit the space and kick off the initiative.  

Apart from the contribution to the sustainability of the shopping centre, this initiative aims to raise awareness among the little ones about the life cycle of food, and the process carried out before it arrives to supermarkets. When the vegetables reach their ideal size, the children will harvest and use them in their own food. 

According to Vânia Esteves, Marketing Executive of Forum Castelo Branco and Retail Asset Services of Cushman & Wakefield Portugal, “Being able to plant and then harvest is the motto that led us to acquire this urban garden – an investment in the sustainability of the scheme, as well as in the people who will enjoy the products that will be harvested” 

Vânia Esteves also adds that “after this initial phase, in which we will focus on the use of vegetable for children, we intend to use it to support some social institutions in the region. Alongside this, we are also analyzing the possibility for retailers to be able to enjoy the space, using it for the production of aromatic herbs, or vegetables, which can be included in the dishes they sell.”