Originally published on DailyScanner
Reliable access to nutritious food is something many people take for granted. However, an estimated 34 million people in the U.S. face food insecurity, including 9 million children. Some take advantage of non-profit or government-sponsored food programs, such as food banks, subsidized school lunches, and food assistance options like WIC and SNAP. And innovators like food management expert Paul Bulau are working on creative solutions to increase food security.
Farm Delivery Boxes
If consumers in urban settings don’t have access to fresh produce locally, they may be able to have it delivered right to their door from local farms. Philly Foodworks, based in Philadelphia, PA, offers customers produce and more via community pick-up locations or home delivery boxes.
This subscription service features seasonal items but offers options to customize delivery schedules, box sizes, and the items in each box. Philly Foodworks partners with local businesses and farms to offer meat, eggs, dairy, baked goods, and other food items with the goal of creating a sustainable local food system.
Farm-to-Table Dining Experiences
Farm-to-table restaurants are nothing new, but the innovative minds at Bites in Phoenix, AZ, took the concept to the next level. This mobile platform connects the dots for urban farmers, chefs, and diners, creating on-site farm-to-table experiences in homes, offices, and schools.
Chefs create profiles that include information about cooking styles, local resources they use for ingredients, and geographic areas they service. Foodies can then choose a chef and dining experience, invite friends to split the costs, and enjoy an incredible, locally sourced meal that supports local farms and independent chefs.
Greenhouses Designed for Urban Settings
According to Paul Bulau, “Agricultural technology is revolutionizing food production in urban areas, particularly when greenhouses are creatively placed in community gardens or on rooftops, and eco-friendly options like hydroponics and sustainable energy resources are used.”
Gotham Greens, with locations throughout the U.S., is a company making strides in this direction, thanks to the advent of commercial rooftop greenhouses and a commitment to partnering with local schools, businesses, and communities to support sustainable food production.
Vertical Farming
“When access to arable land is an issue, it’s time to grow up instead of out,” says Paul Bulau. Vertical indoor farms like those created by AeroFarms, located in Newark, NJ, not only offer opportunities for year-round production in a climate-controlled environment, but they allow for increased access to food for local populations, with up to four times the growth potential per square foot of typical farm operations.
Aeroponics curbs water use by up to 95% over traditional farming and 40% over hydroponics.
New Solutions to Address Food Insecurity
It’s hard to believe that so many people struggle with food insecurity in a nation as rich as the U.S. With creative options like local farm delivery, farm-to-table dining, urban greenhouses, and vertical farming in the works, entrepreneurs are slowly chipping away at the problem.
About Paul Bulau
Paul Bulau is a culinary entrepreneur, business founder, and company owner/operator known for operational success, collaboration, and team development. After earning a degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Paul launched, grew, and sold his first business. For the past 25 years, Paul has served in several management roles with a premier, on-site restaurant company.y.