The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (Fla.) debuts new produce this fall in a revitalized version of its CropBox, a sustainable, self-contained, on-site growing system. The "grown on-site menu" now includes tomatoes, edible flowers and baby zucchini along with an increased production of assorted micro-greens. As the first resort with a CropBox on property, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples has grown more than 7,000 heads of lettuce over the past year, vastly reducing waste and harvesting only what is needed for the property and its guests. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples has focused on making the produce available to its dining options while the brand as a whole moves towards more and more sustainably sourced food-and-beverage operations
Using the latest technology in precision farming, with a hydroponic vertical growing system, the CropBox brings sustainable on-site crops to Naples with the goal of providing guests with the finest and freshest ingredients. The resort’s CropBox, aptly named “The Grow House,” allows the culinary team at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples to provide impossibly fresh and pristine produce each season, with the capacity to grow over an acre of crops within the 320-square-foot container.
The Grow House focuses on climate sensitive crops that, otherwise, would have to be purchased and transported to the property. It differs from gardens and greenhouses because it is a 100-percent fully controlled environment where non-native crops, such as lettuce, can fully thrive in an area they typically would not. After a successful inaugural year, with crops including Bibb and romaine lettuce, cilantro, arugula, spinach, cabbage and assorted micro-greens, the culinary team at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is excited to offer an increased selection of produce grown on the luxury resort grounds to guests.