HMSHost Corp. and the Chicago Department of Aviation have partnered to open the O’Hare Urban Garden, an aeroponic garden in the mezzanine level of Terminal 3, G Concourse, at Chicago O’Hare International (ORD).
“On behalf of the City of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, we are delighted to open the world’s first airport aeroponic garden at O’Hare and invite passengers to take a few minutes to visit the calming garden and learn more about this unique and Earth-friendly type of gardening,” says CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino.
“We are especially excited to partner with HMSHost and well-known Chicago restaurants located inside the terminal that will use the fresh, locally grown produce every day in the meals they prepare for O’Hare passengers,” Andolino continues.
The garden is aeroponic, which is a method of growing plants in a water and mineral nutrient solution without soil. The vegetables that come from the 928 sq. ft. garden will be used at HMSHost’s O’Hare restaurants including Tortas Frontera, Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi, Blackhawks Restaurant and Tuscany. Produce growing in the garden includes Swiss chard, sweet basil, purple basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, chives, Bibb lettuce, gourmet lettuce mix, habanero peppers, edible viola flowers, edible nasturtium flowers, thyme, oregano, red lettuce and green beans.
“This is a great example of how HMSHost is looking at innovative methods of sustainability, in an effort to learn more about how we can further integrate these and other sustainable practices into our business,” says Elie W. Maalouf, president and CEO of HMSHost.
“Producing and purchasing locally grown foods supports the CDA’s commitment to sustainability by strengthening the local economy and job market, providing a unique learning opportunity for travelers, and reducing urban sprawl, traffic congestion, habitat loss, and pollution from transportation of produce,” Commissioner Andolino added.
During the aeroponic process, seeds are planted first in small cubes of nutrient-dense spun volcanic rock, which holds in water and naturally biodegrades. Once the plants are a certain size, they are transferred to the horizontal, aeroponic towers, where they sit under special lamps and undergo a regular watering cycle of 15 minutes, with 30 minutes between watering cycles. The water used is recycled through the towers so that no water evaporates or is wasted. Once the produce is ready to be harvested, the remaining plant stubs will regenerate and grow more produce.
The garden will be accompanied by a display showing the sustainable benefits of the aeroponic system and highlights other CDA sustainability initiatives.
In other HMSHost news…
The company has launched its B4YouBoard smart phone mobile app at Minneapolis-St. Paul International’s (MSP) Lindbergh Terminal.
The app lets travelers use their smart phones to order food and have it delivered to them at their gate while they await their flight. The program was introduced at John F. Kennedy International (JFK).
“I am very pleased HMSHost has decided to launch its new B4YouBoard mobile app at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport,” says Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP. “One of our goals is to make MSP as efficient, convenient and customer friendly as possible, and the B4YouBoard mobile app is one more reason for travelers to make MSP their airport of choice.”
At this time, three HMSHost restaurants are taking part in the program: French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, and Chili’s Too!. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are offered, and the program is available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
“Travelers, whether they are road warriors or families on an annual vacation, will love the convenience of being able to use a smart phone to order a meal and have it delivered to them at the gate while they wait for their flight,” says Joe Waller, HMSHost’s vice president of business development. “This enhanced level of service and innovative use of technology will definitely make the traveler’s day
better.”
HMSHost partnered with Arlington, Va.-based Airside Mobile to create the app, which is available for free download for iPhone and Android users. The technology allows users to order, reserve and pay for meals, retail items and premium services at the airport from their smart phones.
“B4YouBoard really sets a new standard of restaurant customer service in airports,” said Hans Miller, CEO of Airside Mobile. “Whether you’re trying to make a tight connection or find the gate-area power outlet, B4YouBoard just makes the airport experience easier because travelers can count on ordering food and having it delivered directly to them.”
