Green Meetings: Farm to table goes rooftop in Manhattan

If you walked around Union Square five years ago, it would be hard to imagine how huge its farm-to-table market has become in Manhattan.  Sustainable farms throughout the New York City area are there every week selling everything from vegetables to organic meat.

Dining venues are all over this as part of an effort to please an increasingly sophisticated foodie.  Some however, are passing on the farmers market and seeing an opportunity to set up their own sustainable farms on rooftops.

We found one venue with a really cool vibe that features Manhattan's first aeroponic rooftop garden.  Items grown include: Sage, Chive, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Genovese Basil, Opal Basil, Italian and Flat Leaf Parsley, Spearmint, Rosemary, 4 varieties of Nasturtium, Cheddar Cauliflower, Purple Tomatillo, Tomatillo, Japanese and Kermit Eggplant, 2 varieties of Arugula, 4 varieties of Cherry Tomato, Great White Tomato, Bibb Lettuce, Red Oak Leaf, Red Romaine, Green Romaine, Lola Rosa, Frisee, Green Crisp, Poblano Pepper, and Fennel.

While these kinds of dining establishments do not have the seating capacity for large meeting groups, they offer plenty of intimate wow for destination incentive planners.