How We're Using Hydroponics at Gousto

As a tech and data company that loves food, we find the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture fascinating. We are especially interested in innovative methods to meet the growing demand for sustainable and efficient food production. One such method is hydroponics.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is the art and science of cultivating plants without soil, nourishing them instead with mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.?

How We're Using Hydroponics ...

In the past year, we have conducted extensive hydroponic trials. This year, we achieved a milestone: 40% of our basil and 15% of our lettuce were grown hydroponically in the UK.

... And Why

We see four main benefits of hydroponics:

1. Environmental Impact: By eliminating the need for soil, hydroponics significantly reduces carbon emissions. In our case, this translates to a remarkable reduction of 123 metric tonnes of carbon.
2. Productivity: One of the key innovations in hydroponics is the ability to grow crops vertically, maximising space usage. Traditional farming methods limit us to ground-level cultivation, but with hydroponics, we can grow on multiple layers. This vertical approach has increased our productivity per square metre by a staggering four times.
3. Water Conservation: Water scarcity is a global concern, and hydroponics addresses this issue head-on. In hydroponic systems, water is recirculated in a closed-loop, meaning that the same water is safely used repeatedly. This method conserves water remarkably - up to 95% less water is used compared to conventional farming practices.?
4. Reducing Food Miles: Consider the journey your food takes before it reaches your plate. Basil, for instance, is often flown into the UK, accumulating substantial air miles. By transitioning to hydroponic cultivation within the UK, we have eliminated 100,000 air miles, making our produce not only fresher but also significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

Customer Benefits

Our customers have noticed the difference too. Hydroponic lettuce, for instance, has led to a notable increase in product satisfaction. The freshness, quality, and sustainability of our hydroponically grown crops have resonated with our customers, establishing a win-win scenario where both the environment and customers benefit.

Future of Farming

We are excited about the future of farming and the innovative technologies reshaping agriculture, like hydroponics. Embracing such advancements is key to our purpose: to build products that positively impact people and the planet.