Tao Yuan Receives Approval for Aquaponic Greenhouse in Brunswick

Chef Cara Stadler told Eater last fall, "Our farmer, Kate Holcomb, has been working with Fluid Farms on aquaponics, and we are starting to suss out the building plans for a greenhouse to be built next spring." The young James Beard finalist's plan to change the world through food is entering its next phase: The Forecaster reports that the Brunswick Planning Board re-approved plans for a Tao Yuan two-story greenhouse addition last week, which should eventually supply much of the restaurant's produce and tilapia from a sustainabile system combining aquaculture and hydroponics.

"Amendments to the previous application include a loading dock for trucks, overhanging deck space, and a new basement parking layout for restaurant employee use," the paper explains. Acquiring building permits comes next, and construction could begin by late summer. Fluid Farms, in the meantime, recently announced that it will raise hybrid striped bass in its aquaponic system this year, "A first in Maine aquaculture" — so expect to see more local bass on menus this summer.