Freight Farms has examined the latest national and global trends. And good news! They indicate that 2023 is a great year to start hydroponic farming. From food safety to local purchasing and supply chain to healthy eating and environmental sustainability, recent studies and events suggest that now is the time to start a hydroponic farm.
Food Safety
IFIC reports that 50% of Americans view foodborne illness as the current most important food safety issue. It’s not a surprising statistic — continuing the trend of previous years, 2022 saw multiple recalls of leafy green and lettuce products due to potential salmonella contamination and other foodborne illness dangers. Fortunately, hydroponic farming is safer than traditional farming in terms of foodborne illness: In a small-scale container farm, there’s significantly less risk of food contamination, a subject we explore at length in our blog post on E. coli.
IFIC also found that 42% of respondents view pesticides as one of the most serious food safety issues. Container farming has an answer to this, too! In a container farm’s protected environment, there’s no need for pesticides.
ADM reports that consumers are increasingly seeking transparency and traceability in their food. Who and where it came from, and what was used to make it. As a small-scale local farmer, you’re selling to consumers in your community, linking yourself (the producer) to the consumer. You’re able to tell the people buying your produce exactly what goes into it (i.e., no pesticides or herbicides) and the steps you take to keep it as clean and safe for consumption as possible.
Read the entire article at Freight Farms