By Jim Carchidi
Tucked behind the business and residential revitalization of the Packing District, 4Roots Farm works to educate the community about food sustainability while filling nutritional needs.
The fundamentals of food
The first phase of the 4Roots Farm campus includes the education building and greenhouses. Photos by Jim Carchidi
Spearheaded by 4 Rivers Smokehouse founder and president, John Rivers, the mission is to foster the education, growth, and sustainability of local food systems. The 40-acre campus located by the corner of John Young Parkway and WD Judge Drive opened in 2024. However, the 4Roots nonprofit was established in 2015 and has partnered with Orange County Public Schools, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and Orlando Science Center to create educational programs and, more recently, to bring students to the farm.
Versatile classrooms have moveable furnishings and the building features self-tinting windows, AI controlled temperature settings, roof-mounted solar cells, and a cistern that collects and purifies rainwater for use.
The greenhouses have nine separate growing systems from hydroponics to aquaponics and hybrid methods.
A surrounding "food forest" is made up of edible plants that are sustainably grown with natural fertilizers. Visiting students are encouraged to touch and eat the plants they encounter.
4Roots is also behind the following initiatives:
- A Culinary Health Institute that treats food as medicine through clinical innovation and research.
- The Meet the Need initiative to support food security and improve health in underserved communities.
- Establishing a network of farms to provide fresh, responsibly grown produce closer to consumers and at competitive prices.
The growing campus
The urban farm includes greenhouses and a "food forest" where every plant is responsibly grown and edible. The crops add to the selections available on the Fresh by 4Roots online farmers market and in the plant-forward menu at 4Roots Cafe in Orlando Science Center. An education building houses flexible classroom spaces where students of all ages learn about the food production process. The facility was constructed with wood saved during the land clearing, is powered by roof-mounted solar cells, and funnels rain water into a cistern where it is purified by blue lights and used in bathrooms and kitchens.
The campus also hosts the 4Roots Farmers Market on the second Saturday of the month with fresh produce and local vendors. An upcoming expansion will add the Stone Barn Event Center and an outdoor event pavilion.
A design rendering shows the 15,000-square-foot Stone Barn Event Center. Construction was funded in part by a $12 million Orange County Tourist Development Tax grant, awarded in 2024 .
A cooking college/greenhouse concept is currently in development for the campus.
Unveiled on Nov. 18 and set to break ground in early 2026, the 15,000-square-foot Stone Barn is inspired by European farm buildings and will house large-scale indoor events. The neighboring Williams Family Pavilion, funded by the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family Foundation, Inc., will include an event lawn and covered stage for outdoor gatherings, concerts, and the monthly farmers market. A long-range plan is being developed to add a cooking college/greenhouse concept where food preparation and food cultivation will happen under one roof.
For more on 4Roots Farm learning opportunities, community outreach and events, log onto the 4Roots website.
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