Fecha de publicación: -- Fuente: WIPO "tomato" A vertically-integrated combined farming and food-distribution system (10) is provided for producing and distributing food which is grown and/or raised wholly beneath a surface of ground and/or of a body of water. The system (10) comprises a below-surface food-production assembly (14) for producing food. The below-surface food-production assembly (14) has a protective shell (16) which is locatable at least partly below the surface and food-producing infrastructure (18). The food-producing infrastructure (18) is positioned within the protective shell (16) for growing or raising an edible product. The food-producing infrastructure includes a product-growing support for supporting and enabling the growth of the edible product thereat, an artificial lighting sub-system (48b) positionable at or adjacent the product-growing support for illuminating the edible product, and a fluid-distribution sub-system (48d). The fluid-distribution sub-system (48d) has a fluid-storage chamber (46), and at least one fluid conduit (60b). The at least one fluid conduit (60b) connects the fluid-storage chamber (46) to the product-growing support for providing fluid to the product-growing support. The system (10) further comprises an above-surface distribution centre (12a) and an access (29). The above-surface distribution centre (12a) enables the distribution the food produced by the below-surface food-production assembly (14). The above-surface distribution centre (12a) overlies the below-surface food-production assembly (14) which provides a foundation therefor. The access (29) between the below-surface food-production assembly (14) and the above-surface distribution centre (12a) allows the movement of the edible product therebetween.