"Lettuce" feed the zoo

A shipping container in Saskatoon serves as a miniature indoor farm built for research, where rows upon rows of crisp, bright green lettuce thrive under artificial light. This project explores how food can grow in harsh environments, offering insights into sustainable agriculture and controlled environment systems.

Until recently, the lettuce harvested after each study ended up in the compost. Now, through a new partnership with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo , the leftover produce is being shared with local animals, turning research waste into nourishment. It's a small reminder that innovation can feed more than ideas.

Together, the teams saw an opportunity to reduce waste and share fresh, locally grown greens with the zoo's animals—lettuce cultivated by Canadian research.

"It's a simple idea, but it's one that makes everyone smile," says Shawn Clark, Research Officer at our Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre (ACRD). "It's wonderful that we've found a way for science to give back and to make sure research has a positive impact, even outside the lab."

Where advanced agriculture meets local sustainability

The shipping container, known as our modular agriculture research station (MARS) is designed to show that fresh produce can be grown anywhere, in any season. Led by experts from ACRD and Saskatchewan Polytechnique, the MARS team studies how to make indoor farming more energy efficient, cost effective and adaptable to different climates.

Their work helps demonstrate how modular, controlled‑environment systems could support food production in places where access to fresh produce is limited, such as Northern and remote communities, and regions facing extreme weather.

"We're testing systems that can produce food wherever people live," says Kelly Soanes, Director at ACRD. "It's about proving that technology can bring healthy, fresh, local food closer to home, no matter how harsh the conditions outside."

A partnership rooted in community

For the zoo, the collaboration is an example of how local science can support sustainability and animal care. For the NRC, it's a creative way to derive additional benefit from our research.

"We're so happy we were approached with this opportunity," says Jeff Mitchell, Operations Manager at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. "The lettuce donation turns what could be waste into something valuable—nourishment and community connection. It's a simple act that reminds us how innovation, sustainability and kindness can grow together."

What started with a few boxes of lettuce could grow into a long‑term collaboration that shows how research and sustainability can work hand in hand.

By connecting our advanced agricultural research to local needs, the project team is helping reduce waste while finding practical ways science can support food security.

The team is also exploring other opportunities for future donations of fresh produce to local food banks or community programs, as research continues to improve growing conditions and crop quality within MARS. Because the lettuce is grown under varying conditions as part of ongoing research, some crops may develop cosmetic imperfections or other growth-related issues, like calcium deficiencies, and may not meet the strict grading standards required for distribution as human food. Donating it to the zoo ensures the fresh greens harvested during research can still be used as nutritious feed for the animals rather than going to waste.

The goal is simple: to continually improve how crops are gown at MARS so more of the produce can be put to good use, helping nourish both people and animals alike while turning innovation into impact.

When science finds new ways to give back, even a head of lettuce can help feed the future.