June 9, 2009: Veggie Factory

xoxoxoBruce · 06-08-2009, 11:41 PM

Japan is a small country with limited tillable land, four seasons, and a voracious appetite... they once tried to eat Asia.

Quote:

In a perfectly controlled and totally sterile environment - uncontaminated by dirt, insects or fresh air - Japanese scientists are developing a new way of growing vegetables.

Called plant factories, these anonymous looking warehouses have sprung up across the country and can churn out immaculate looking lettuces and green leaves 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every part of the plant's environment is controlled - from the lighting and temperature, to the humidity and water. Even the levels of carbon dioxide can be minutely altered.

Quote:

The vegetables from plant factories - which include green leaf, romaine lettuce and garland chrysanthemum - are sold at a premium to Japanese shoppers. No pesticides are used - and there is no risk of contamination with food poisoning bugs.

Because the plants are grown in a clean room, they can be eaten safely without washing. Lettuce grown in the factories can be cropped up to 20 times a year.Some factories are vast - and can produce three million vegetables a year.
The results are hygienic, but it's about as far from real food as you can possibly get.

I'd take issue with that last statement... it's still real food, except the garland chrysanthemums) just cleaner.
But I wonder about the taste though, because veggies taste different when they are grown in different locations, depending on the soil.
Either they'll make them all taste alike (ala McDonalds), or maybe different factories will compete to develop signature flavors?

link

TheMercenary · 06-08-2009, 11:48 PM

Sounds like a fantastic business venture that could only work in a place where apples are like $3 a piece.

ZenGum · 06-08-2009, 11:57 PM

*Most* food in Japan is about the same price as in Australia (I've never been shopping in the US and am too lazy to look it up). It is only specific "boutique" items with cultural significance that are insanely overpriced.

That factory is either the way of the future, or a dystopian nightmare, depending on how they run it. I hate to think about their energy bills, though. I hope they have solar panels on the roof.

Aliantha · 06-09-2009, 12:13 AM

It's really just mass hydroponics isn't it? That's been around for ages and working well. Plenty of people grow all sorts of veges that way and they don't taste the same. You could argue that the plant would simply have it's 'true' flavour even I suppose.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-09-2009, 12:15 AM

They've taken hydroponics to the next level with a completely controlled environment.

Aliantha · 06-09-2009, 12:28 AM

Yeah, I got that, but it's still hydro.

I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop.

spudcon · 06-09-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Yeah, I got that, but it's still hydro.

I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop.

"I've heard" ?

monster · 06-09-2009, 07:44 AM

...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.

dacliff · 06-09-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.

What do you call that guy in the middle? Asparagus? We're all closet cannibals...

Sheldonrs · 06-09-2009, 08:52 AM

When I read the title I was expecting a story about any school in New Jersey.

monster · 06-09-2009, 09:04 AM

You'd think they'd dress the workers in a different color for safety reasons. I wonder how many have gone in to harvest the plants and never returned? Or perhaps they're dressed in green so we won't notice when they end up in our garden salad?

Trilby · 06-09-2009, 11:08 AM

This snotty witch I'm reading who wrote FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT would have a HUUUUUUGE problem with this. She's a snobby bitty thing who wears scarves and sunglasses all year round and buys her fruit from magic elves in Provence.

Sundae · 06-09-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop.

Apparently most of the pot sold in Amsterdam is now grown hydroponically. Pot plants no longer pot plants as it were.

SteveDallas · 06-09-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

This snotty witch I'm reading who wrote FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT would have a HUUUUUUGE problem with this. She's a snobby bitty thing who wears scarves and sunglasses all year round and buys her fruit from magic elves in Provence.

So why are you reading it?

glatt · 06-09-2009, 12:03 PM

One third of French women are overweight.
cite

06-08-2009, 11:48 PM	#2
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Sounds like a fantastic business venture that could only work in a place where apples are like $3 a piece. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

06-08-2009, 11:57 PM	#3
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Most food in Japan is about the same price as in Australia (I've never been shopping in the US and am too lazy to look it up). It is only specific "boutique" items with cultural significance that are insanely overpriced. That factory is either the way of the future, or a dystopian nightmare, depending on how they run it. I hate to think about their energy bills, though. I hope they have solar panels on the roof. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

06-09-2009, 12:13 AM	#4
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	It's really just mass hydroponics isn't it? That's been around for ages and working well. Plenty of people grow all sorts of veges that way and they don't taste the same. You could argue that the plant would simply have it's 'true' flavour even I suppose. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

06-09-2009, 12:15 AM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	They've taken hydroponics to the next level with a completely controlled environment. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-09-2009, 12:28 AM	#6
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Yeah, I got that, but it's still hydro. I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

06-09-2009, 07:44 AM	#8
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

06-09-2009, 08:52 AM	#10
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	When I read the title I was expecting a story about any school in New Jersey. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

06-09-2009, 09:04 AM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	You'd think they'd dress the workers in a different color for safety reasons. I wonder how many have gone in to harvest the plants and never returned? Or perhaps they're dressed in green so we won't notice when they end up in our garden salad? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

06-09-2009, 11:08 AM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	This snotty witch I'm reading who wrote FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT would have a HUUUUUUGE problem with this. She's a snobby bitty thing who wears scarves and sunglasses all year round and buys her fruit from magic elves in Provence. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

06-09-2009, 12:03 PM	#15
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	One third of French women are overweight. cite

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