The quotes below come from a long and considered blog on vertical farming and hydroponics on the spectrum of sustainability. It’s totally different from what we do at Go Local Food. We are in a rural area with access to open ground and being able to take part in more traditional growing with the accent on organic even if we can’t afford to go down the path of being registered organic (as with many other small growers).
The quotes give a flavour of what is being discussed, but a full read is recommended (see https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/articles/vertical-farming-and-hydroponics-on-the-spectrum-of-sustainability/)
The blog says:
“Hydroponic and aeroponic growing has received a lot of attention in recent years as the future of farming, since it’s been linked with the associated concept of vertical farming. Vertical farming is having something of a moment, with the tech industry pouring money into it and arguing that it’s the answer to feeding the urban masses fresh, local food, as we roll further into a century facing huge population growth.”
Hydroponics and organic food
“There is fierce debate, however, over vertical farming and the hydroponic and aeroponic production systems it overwhelmingly depends on, and it’s an argument that reaches into the heart of how we define ‘sustainability’. Hydroponic growing has been in commercial use since the early 20th century. Plants are grown in water or in an inorganic fabricated substrate, in buildings that may or may not have windows – if not, LED-lighting is used. The biggest criticism it faces is that plants are fed with artificial nutrients, because they don’t have access to the microbiology of healthy soil.”
Go Local Food Ltd 