How Closed Loop Farms Became A Microgreens Empire In Chicago

Adam Pollack established Closed Loop Farms after a summer internship motivated him to grow microgreens in his Chicago apartment. The farm now delivers over 200 orders weekly to 150 restaurants and 50 homes, including edible flowers that appeared in the TV show "The Bear. " Initially starting with a small plot in Humboldt Park, Pollack expanded to a 6,000-square-foot facility in The Plant, a sustainable food business incubator. Closed Loop Farms employs a natural ecosystem for pest control and recycles microgreen soil into their outdoor farm, promoting sustainability. Pollack's culinary background facilitated connections with local restaurants, driving demand for his produce.

The farm experienced steady growth until the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a major operational shift towards home delivery. Pollack noted that the pandemic emphasized the need for a robust online presence, prompting the creation of a website for orders. The farm’s diverse crop offerings allow for flexibility in production, ensuring resilience against crop failures.