Comments on: How a new business model could revolutionize fresh food

By: Jeff Cook

Jeff Cook — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:48:18 +0000

This idea just may put me out of a job. I have specialized in produce transportation since 1993. I move lettuce from Salinas, Honduran melons from Miami, Spanish Clementines and Chilean grapes from Philadelphia to supermarkets distribution centers throughout the lower 48. For years I’ve been amazed at how completely inefficient this system is but I’ve built my career around it! But I’m 50 years old and dusting off my resume because this idea is more than good, it is desperately needed!

By: Cecilia Elpi

Cecilia Elpi — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:16:53 +0000

Hydroponic technology can certainly pave the way to healthier, fresher and more eco-friendly food! For anyone who wants to learn more about hydroponics and other recirculating farms visit: http://www.recirculatingfarms.org

By: Dave Linabury

Dave Linabury — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:14:38 +0000

This is all fine and I certainly subscribe to the “think global, eat local” mentality, but most Americans won’t eat fresh food even if it’s readily available. They prefer convenient, pre-packaged crap from the middle aisles of the grocery stores over having to actually cook from scratch. Getting them to break this horrible habit will be a challenge.

By: Len

Len — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:42:17 +0000

Are there any differences between food in hydroponic systems versus food grown in the ground?

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:25:59 +0000

Despite negative comments from others. It is part of the future of the security of the food supply chain. I am growing Pak Choi hydroponically. Initially in a test situation in my garden capable of producing 400 plants per week 365 days a year. I have recently obtained planning permission for the first of 5 greenhouses in my garden. Using a stacked system in a controlled environment one greenhouse can produce 32,000 plants per month. Product which is grown with rainwater, no pesticides or additives to prolong the product life and delivered still growing in specicially designed trolleys to the consumer and sold in a fresh market. The range of products include vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, wheatgrass, herbs, cattle fodder, cut flowers, pharmaceutical research products etc. With the advent of the led lighting and solar panels it is possible to grow and transport the fresh naturally grown products to the consumer at a healthy profit margin. The downside is the capital investment required but payback on the system I am using and expanding is 12 months. Good for the consumer, good for the environment and good for the future security of the supply of food

By: giorgi3

giorgi3 — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:55:22 +0000

It is just the latest energy intensive way to shape an ersatz product I like to call “flavored calories”.

By: Jonathan Aluzas

Jonathan Aluzas — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:13:28 +0000

This sort of innovative approach is always welcome, but with gas prices about to rise drastically, simplifying the supply chain makes even more sense.

By: Matt Liotta

Matt Liotta — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:53:59 +0000

Using hydroponics can be energy intensive, but your comment implies that conventional agriculture is somehow not energy intensive. Conventional approaches use far greater amounts of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. It costs energy to produce fertilizer and pesticides. Further, it takes energy to distribute and apply both to the fields. Water also takes energy to apply. The tractors all use energy. The trucks that transport the harvested product 1500+ miles use energy. The intensive packaging used to protect product traveling 1500+ miles costs energy to produce and dispose of.

In short, all forms of modern agriculture use a lot of energy. Hydroponics provides a way of more efficiently producing certain types of crops.

By: DotsOfColor

DotsOfColor — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:06:08 +0000

Reblogged this on Dots Of Color.

By: Yacko

Yacko — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:44:10 +0000

Despite the two comments so far, hydroponics will not fly. The “things” grown hydroponically should not be called plants and should certainly not be called food. It is just the latest energy intensive way to shape an ersatz product I like to call “flavored calories”.