The future of food production

The Future of Food TechnologyRachel Owens, Daytona State College

Current food production:Consumes 80% of the available fresh water in the U.S.

Climate change:Creates increasingly unstable weather patterns, adversely impacting harvests

Transportation costs:Increase food expense

Waste30-50% of current food production worldwide is wasted.

Cropland:Increasingly affected by soil erosion, overgrazing, and decreased fertility

InefficiencyFeeding animals is an inefficient way to feed humans.

Greenhouse gasesFood production is as currently practiced is a major contributor to greenhouse gases.

800 million peopleAre food-insecure in 2014.

9 billion peopleEstimated world population by 2050

Technological Solutions

Aeroponics• Reduces

agricultural water use by 98%

• Grows plants in air/mist environment

In vitro meatEliminates the need for grain to feed animals

Closed-system fish farmsEliminate the pollution and risk of disease associated with current models of open-system fish farms

Diversified food sources• Algae• Insects• Edible plants not

currently used for food

Smart packaging• Reduces food

waste• Monitors freshness• Extends shelf life• Improves safety

Sources• http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/27/6074417/how-to-feed-the-

cities-of-the-future-mit-cityfarm

• http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/our-global-kitchen-food-nature-culture/future-of-food

• http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/57936

• http://www.wri.org/publication/creating-sustainable-food-future-interim-findings