first feed | from the editor
just a simple outdoor garden or indoor system would foster a much healthier appreciation for food that our throw-away society
currently ignores .”
Food waste is a global issue that governments , cities , and businesses around the world are beginning to turn their attention to . According to statistics from the United Nations , roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — about 1.3 billion tons with US $ 1 trillion in value — gets lost or wasted . Thirty per cent of all cereals , 20 per cent of all dairy , 35 per cent of all seafood , and 45 per cent of all fruits and vegetables are thrown away by consumers . Grocery stores , restaurants , and supply chains often are blamed for the waste , but the reality is almost half of all food is wasted in homes . After all , we want our food cheap , perfectly shaped , and unblemished . What ’ s more , all of this rotting food in landfills produces methane , a gas 20 times more damaging than CO 2 , and food production uses 80 per cent of all fresh water consumed . If food waste were a country , it would be the third largest contributor of greenhouse gases in the world . Maximum Yield ’ s Cory Hughes piles up the staggering food waste numbers for us on page 60 . It goes without saying that a lot of these issues could be solved if more people grew their own food . It doesn ’ t take much , just a simple outdoor garden or indoor system would foster a much healthier appreciation for food that our throw-away society currently ignores . With that in mind , in this issue of Maximum Yield we offer a wide range of stories to help educate seasoned growers and newcomers alike . From cold weather greenhouses to hydroponic pollination to lighting tips , we ’ ve left nothing to waste when it comes to growing your own food . We hope you have as much fun reading it as we did putting it together . As always , thanks for reading Maximum Yield and if you have any questions feel free to contact us at editor @ maximumyield . com .
16 Maximum Yield USA | February 2017