Gezondheid Farms: Saba's Hydroponic Food Revolution
A hidden hydroponic farm growing fresh greens on the Caribbean's smallest inhabited island.
Why Go
On an island where nearly every tomato and lettuce leaf has crossed an ocean to get here, a small team is quietly rewriting Saba's food story — one hydroponic tray at a time. Gezondheid Farms is part sustainability project, part living laboratory, and easily one of the most surprising stops on the Unspoiled Queen.
The Experience
Tucked into Saba's steep volcanic terrain, Gezondheid Farms is a working hydroponic operation, not a polished agri-tourism attraction — and that's exactly what makes visiting it feel special. You'll walk between rows of leafy greens and herbs growing without soil, learn how the farm slashes water use compared to traditional agriculture, and hear firsthand how the project is chipping away at Saba's dependence on imported produce. Tours are by request only, so you get real one-on-one time with the people building the place. Expect equal parts geeky farm-tech talk (nutrient films, controlled environments, seedling trials) and big-picture conversation about island resilience, food security, and what it takes to grow strawberries and basil in the middle of the Caribbean. It's short, unhurried, and best paired with a stop at a nearby restaurant so you can actually taste what's being grown.
What to Try
Start with the flagship 5.4 oz Spring Mix — an eight-herb-and-lettuce blend sold under the Gezondheid Farms brand at Big Rock Supermarket. It's crisp, peppery, and unmistakably fresh (a rarity on Saba). If your visit lines up with a harvest, ask what's currently in rotation: the farm cycles through tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, seedless watermelon, cantaloupes, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and Genovese basil. The Genovese basil in particular is a chef favorite on the island.
Insider Tip
There are no walk-ins — this is a working farm, not a visitor center. Email Jim@gezondheidfarms.com or WhatsApp +1 775-293-5567 at least a day or two ahead to arrange a tour, and mention if you're a chef, gardener, or sustainability nerd. You'll almost always get a longer, more detailed walk-through. Then swing by Big Rock Supermarket to grab a Spring Mix bag as an edible souvenir before catching your ferry or flight.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Saba, Caribbean Netherlands (specific site shared when you book — the island is tiny, so nothing is more than a short drive from The Bottom or Windwardside). Access: by advance request only. Contact: Jim@gezondheidfarms.com, tel. 416-2119, WhatsApp +1 775-293-5567. Cost: tours are typically complimentary; consider buying product or tipping. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water — Saba's terrain is steep and the sun is strong. Retail: Spring Mix salad bags available at Big Rock Supermarket.
Pair It With
- Big Rock Supermarket Guide — The only retail outlet for Gezondheid Farms' Spring Mix — pick up a bag right after your tour.
- Brigadoon Guide — A beloved Windwardside restaurant that champions fresh, local ingredients — a great place to see farm-to-table Saba in action.
- Angelina's Saba by OwAiChie — Casual island cooking nearby where you can round out the farm visit with a proper meal.
- Amonhana Guide — A neighborhood restaurant close by that pairs well with a morning farm tour.
