first feed from the editor
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ccording to the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ), there are 42.2 million food-insecure Americans , 13.1 million of whom are children . That equals one in seven Americans . The USDA defines food insecurity as households that are “ uncertain of having , or are unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all family members due to insufficient money or other resources for food .” To respond to this crisis , the House Special Committee on Food Security recently approved a substitute bill promoting integrated urban agriculture to boost the country ’ s food security . The office will also study and make recommendations regarding the impact of urban agriculture and vertical farming in metropolitan communities , carry out the implementation of the law , and report to Congress its findings and recommendations . In other words , develop a plan to grow and make available healthy , local food to people living in urban centers . In this issue of Maximum Yield , our first for 2018 , we asked writer Lee Allen to take a peek into the crystal ball of hydroponics (“ The Future of Hydroponics ,” page 48 ). What he found was encouraging . With demand from a health-conscious generation ( Millennials ), improved technology and innovation , and a need to move away from traditional agriculture , hydroponics is transitioning from novelty to need . Today , hydroponic growing is being applied in deserts , mountaintops , Antarctica , and even space . With modern technology , there is nowhere fresh food cannot be grown , and that includes food deserts found in inner cities . As one expert states in Allen ’ s piece , “ We believe that the future lies in locally grown and sold produce that limits road miles .” With government acknowledgment that hydroponics , urban gardening , and vertical farming will play an important future role in food security , coupled with an industry full of innovation and a will to make things better , 2018 could be a pivotal year when it comes to putting fresh , healthy food on the table for millions of people . From our team here at Maximum Yield , we wish you all the best for a happy and prosperous new year . Thanks for reading Maximum Yield and if you have any questions feel free to contact us at editor @ maximumyield . com .
With modern technology , there is nowhere fresh food cannot be grown , and that includes food deserts found in inner cities .”
14 first feed