Perceptions of high-tech controlled environment agriculture among local food consumers: using interviews to explore sense-making and connections to good food

Abstract

In recent years, new forms of high-tech controlled environment agriculture (CEA) have received increased attention and investment. These systems integrate a suite of technologies – including automation, LED lighting, vertical plant stacking, and hydroponic fertilization – to allow for greater control of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and light in an enclosed growing environment. Proponents insist that CEA can produce sustainable, nutritious, and tasty local food, particularly for the cities of the future. At the same time, a variety of critics raise concerns about its environmental impacts and energy use, high startup costs, and consumer accessibility challenges, among other issues. At this stage, however, relatively little research has explored actual consumer knowledge and attitudes related to CEA processes and products. Guided by theories of sense-making, this article draws from structured interviews with local food consumers in New York City to examine what people know and think about high-tech CEA. From there, it explores the extent to which CEA fits into consumer conceptualizations of what makes for “good food.” Key findings emphasize that significant gaps in public understanding of CEA remain, that CEA products’ success will depend on the ability of the industry to deliver on its environmental promises, and that concerns about “unnatural” aspects of CEA will need to be allayed. Given the price premium at which high-tech CEA products are currently sold, the industry’s expansion will depend in large part on its ability to convince value-oriented food consumers that the products meet the triple-bottom-line of economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals.

Appendices

Appendix

Interview guide

• 1. When you are looking to purchase vegetables, what is most important to you? Why?

• 2. Have you ever heard of the term “controlled environment agriculture” or CEA?

  • a. What does that term mean to you?

  • b. I may refer to it as CEA moving forward.

• 3. Have you ever heard of the terms “hydroponics?” What does this term mean to you?

  • a. Have you ever heard of the term “aeroponics?” What does this term mean to you?

  • b. Have you ever heard of the term “aquaponics?” What does this term mean to you?

• 4. I'm going to tell you a little bit more about controlled environment agriculture, or CEA. I'm interested to hear your thoughts.

• 5. Controlled environment agriculture is a method of cultivating plants in an enclosed environment, using technology to ensure optimal growing conditions. For many years, people have grown food in greenhouses, which is a type of controlled environment agriculture that uses natural sunlight. In recent years, new types of CEA allow people to grow food indoors without soil or sunlight. They use artificial lights like LEDs and grow the plants in nutrient-enriched water. In hydroponics, the roots are placed in that water; in aeroponics, the roots are sprayed with the water; and in aquaponics, the nutrients actually come from fish. Hearing about CEA practices such as hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic agriculture, what is your general reaction?

• 6. Supporters of controlled environment agriculture argue that their products are good because they use less water than outdoor agriculture, can grow more food per square foot, and don't use pesticides or GMOs. They also say they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting fertilizer inputs and transportation, since they can be grown anywhere year-round, including right in the city.

  • a. What do you think of these arguments?

  • b. Are any of these specific claims important or convincing to you?

• 7. Let's focus a bit more on the idea of local food. Do you generally seek out local food? Why or why not?

• 8. Some supporters say CEA represents a new opportunity to grow food “hyperlocally” within urban areas, so that produce can be consumed very close to where it was grown and soon after harvesting to retain its freshness, flavor, and nutrients.

  • a. What do you think about CEA producers' claims about being “hyperlocal?” Does this sound appealing or not? Why?

• 9. Some people are critical of controlled environment agriculture. They argue that the systems are expensive and use lots of energy due to their artificial lights, which can lead to a large greenhouse gas footprint. Some also argue that locally grown and organic foods grown in soil are superior, since they consider outdoor agriculture a more natural approach which also helps build soil health.

  • a. What do you think of these arguments?

  • b. Are any of these specific claims important or convincing to you?

• 10. Right now, there is a debate about whether controlled environment agriculture products should be allowed to be certified as organic. If you had to take a stance on this issue, what would you say?

• 11. After this conversation, how would you describe your overall feeling toward controlled environment agriculture products? What other questions do you have?