Pointe-Claire, QC -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/28/2015 -- Urban Barns Foods Inc. (OTCQB: URBF)("Urban Barns"), an innovative food producer dedicated to growing consistent, healthy and fresh vegetables year round using its proprietary Cubic Farming™ method, is pleased to provide its shareholders with an update on its research and development (R&D) activities at McGill University.

The Biomass Production Laboratory at McGill University, with support from Urban Barns, is paving the way for research in urban agriculture. Recent innovations with Light Emitting Diodes (LED) as a plant energy source, has brought about this new area of research. LED lighting systems have the ca-pability to control wavelengths emitted. This allows for research on the impact of different spectral wavelength combinations on plant growth and development. Compared to conventional lighting techniques when growing tomatoes, an arrangement of red and blue lights has proven to increase growth, improve morphology, and suppress plant pathogens.

In February of 2014, Dr. Lefsrud with support from an industry partner, Urban Barns, was awarded a NSERC research grant to develop improved LED lighting systems for their indoor Cubic FarmingTM facility. The Cubic FarmingTM model consists of rotating troughs on which various species are grown, using controlled temperature, humidity, irrigation, and lighting. Results show significantly faster growth than with conventional lighting systems.

"Once implemented at a large scale, this project has the potential to provide high yields of nutritious, sustainable, fresh and locally grown food year-round, regardless of regional climate." Dr. Lefsrud stated.

Research at Macdonald Campus Bioresource Engineering Department has published numerous LED scientific papers, putting the department at the forefront of this quickly evolving industry. This re-search has observed the concentration of ?-carotene and other phytochemicals in the growth cycle of plants, and how plant production of these antioxidants may be increased using LEDs. Specifically, the research has been focused on the impact of red, blue and amber LEDs to increase production and nutritional values. Dr. Lefsrud states that "We have been very surprised by the increase in anthocy-anin levels in lettuce with small changes in the ratio of red, blue and amber LEDs". However as Dr. Lefsrud explains "not all plants exhibit the same response to these LED wavelengths and research is continuing in the laboratory".

Benefiting from the Biomass Production Laboratory expertise, the Urban Barns facility in Mirabel, Quebec opened in June 2014 and has begun selling pesticide and GMO-free lettuce to clients in Quebec and Ontario. A Cubic FarmingTM research unit has been assembled on the McGill MacDonald campus to aid in measuring photosynthetic efficiency of horticultural plants and further developing LED technology.

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About Urban Barns Foods Inc.
Urban Barns uses patent pending and proprietary equipment to produce affordable leafy vegetables in a secure and controlled indoor environment. By setting up subsidiary facilities and growing local-ly, Urban Barns can focus on supplying any community, irrespective of the regional climate, effec-tively reducing shipping times and related spoilage costs. Urban Barns has the unique ability to scale and cater to the demands of all major communities. The company's commitment to consumers is reflected through its motto, "Purely Fresh, Naturally Tasty, and Completely Healthy".

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may include for-ward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as "may", "could", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Urban Barns does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and cautions investors to consider all other risks and uncertainties, including those dis-closed in Urban Barns' filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information, contact:
Urban Barns Foods Inc.
Richard Groome, President and CEO
rgroome@urbanbarns.com
Tel: 514-907-4989 x 774
http://www.urbanbarns.com/

Source: UPTICK Newswire

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pointe-Claire, QC -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/18/2014 -- Urban Barns Foods Inc.(OTCQB: URBF)("Urban Barns"), an innovative food producer dedicated to growing consistent, healthy and fresh vegetables year round using its proprietary Cubic Farming™ method,today provides its shareholders with an update on its research and development (R&D) activities at McGill University.

In its yearly update to Urban Barns the Biomass Production Laboratory research team at McGill University reported that research jointly sponsored by Urban Barns and an NSERC Cooperative Research & Development (CRD) grant is being used to design and test optimum light emitting diode (LED) light bars to maximize production and reduce energy costs in the Cubic FarmingTM system of Urban Barns. The focus of the NSERC research is optimizing light emitting diodes to assess photosynthetically active radiation efficiency (PAR curve) of horticultural plants using different wavelengths of LED at both low and high irradiance levels. To support this basic research a Cubic FarmingTM unit is operating on the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

In addition to the research being undertaken as a part of the NSERC CRD grant, researchers are focused on expanding the range of horticultural crops being grown on the Cubic FarmingTM system to include bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries. Four new trough designs are being tested to support these fruiting crops. Researchers also report that new biological rooting substrates that can be easily incorporated into the Cubic FarmingTM system are being tested to replace non-biodegradable rockwool. This ongoing research has had very promising results with several different substrate materials that are all biodegradable.

Dr. Mark Lefsrud is the principal investigator and team leader with expertise on the use of LED lighting in greenhouse environments. The research team includes Dr. Valerie Gravel, Assistant Professor in Plant Science, and includes 10 research support professionals including graduates, undergraduates and research associates, with expertise split between the engineering and horticultural aspects of the project. The team is focused on performing research on methods and technologies to grow food and other plants in a more energy-efficient manner while also attempting to improve the nutritional value of the food grown.

Like, follow, discuss, and keep up to date:
-Facebook.com/UrbanBarns
-Instagram.com/urbanbarnsfoods
-Twitter.com/UrbanBarns
-Youtube.com/UrbanBarnsFoods

About Urban Barns Foods Inc.
Urban Barns uses patent pending and proprietary equipment to produce affordable leafy vegetables in a secure and controlled indoor environment. By setting up subsidiary facilities and growing locally, Urban Barns can focus on supplying any community, irrespective of the regional climate, effectively reducing shipping times and related spoilage costs. Urban Barns has the unique ability to scale and cater to the demands of all major communities. The company's commitment to consumers is reflected through its motto, "Purely Fresh, Naturally Tasty, and Completely Healthy".

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may include forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as "may", "could", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Urban Barns does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and cautions investors to consider all other risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in Urban Barns' filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information, contact:
Urban Barns Foods, Inc.
Richard Groome, President and CEO
rgroome@urbanbarns.com
Tel: 514-907-4989 x 774
http://www.urbanbarns.com/

Source: UPTICK Newswire

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Pointe-Claire, QC -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2014 -- Urban Barns Food Inc.(OTCQB: URBF) ("Urban Barns"), an innovated food producer, announced that it has received the MK Kosher certification for its Breen Romaine lettuce and Frank Butterhead lettuce. Not only did Urban Barns Foods Inc. receive this specializied certification, but it also completed and passed many other Kosher certification-oriented tests. Dedicated in the cultivation of fresh vegetation throughout the year, Urban Barns Foods Inc. uses the latest in LED technology and is most noted for its proprietary Cubic Farming™ method.

"We are very pleased to have received the MK Kosher certification for two of our GMO- and pesticide-free fresh products grown on our Cubic Farming™ machines in our Mirabel facility," commented Richard Groome, President and CEO of Urban Barns. "We look forward to supplying the Kosher communities of North America with these products."

Rabbi Saul Emanuel, Executive Director of Canada's Kosher certifier, expressed his excitement over the company's MK Kosher Certification which he feels will be beneficial for the Kosher catering and consumer industries. Furthermore, Rabbi Peretz Jaffe, the Kashrus coordinator, noted how difficult it is in finding produce that is free of infestation, and believes that the market will only gain from this recent development.

For further updates and developments, please go to:

Facebook.com/UrbanBarns
Instagram.com/urbanbarnsfoods
Twitter.com/UrbanBarns
Youtube.com/UrbanBarnsFoods

About MK Kosher Certification
Canada's Kosher certifier, otherwise known as "MK" has established itself as the leading player responsible for the certification of thousands of Kosher food products bearing the MK certification mark. As Canada's Kosher certifier, companies from across the country source out MK Kosher certification, enabling them to become part of the highly acclaimed list of enterprises that produce food products with the MK Kosher certification mark.

About Urban Barns Foods Inc.
Urban Barns uses patent pending and proprietary equipment to produce affordable leafy vegetables in a secure and controlled indoor environment. By setting up subsidiary facilities and growing locally, Urban Barns can focus on supplying any community, irrespective of the regional climate, effectively reducing shipping times and related spoilage costs. Urban Barns has the unique ability to scale and cater to the demands of all major communities. The company's commitment to consumers is reflected through its motto, "Purely Fresh, Naturally Tasty, and Completely Healthy".

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may include forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as "may", "could", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Urban Barns does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements and cautions investors to consider all other risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in Urban Barns' filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information, contact:
Urban Barns Foods, Inc.
Richard Groome, President and CEOrgroome@urbanbarns.com
Tel: 514-907-4989 x 774
http://www.urbanbarns.com/
UPTICK Newswire

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm