Sustainability

We consider ourselves business owners with a conscience. We are committed to a clean environment, and we are uncompromising when it comes to food safety.

Hydroponic systems like ours have the following environmental advantages over traditional farming methods.

• We use 10 percent less water. The water that nourishes our plants is recycled and reused. Before nutrient levels become unbalanced, we let the plants “drink down” water in the reservoir to help empty it, and then the remaining water is spread onto adjacent property to irrigate lawns or natural vegetation.
• Reduced land use. A hydroponic system can grow four times as much as conventional soil systems. Additionally, it doesn’t deplete soil nutrients or contribute to soil erosion.
• No artificial chemicals are used on the plants as fertilizer or weed control, helping reduce contamination of the produce and the environment.
• Fewer pieces of farming equipment means reduced fuel consumption. We deliver products shorter distances locally, so there are fewer trucks on the highways and less auto emissions polluting the air.

Responsible Growing and Handling Practices

There is nearly zero waste with the growing method we use. We donate unsold products to local charities and food banks, and outdated leftovers go to locally owned, organic, hormone-free cattle farms.

No pesticides are ever used on our products. Instead, our pest management program involves hiring “good bugs” like ladybugs to manage the “bad bugs” naturally. We don’t allow tours of our facility during the summer months to reduce the chance of unwanted pests being introduced from outside.

Food safety is serious at C&S Hydro-Huts. We believe the hydroponic system creates safer foods because there is less chance of contamination from soil borne diseases. We maintain a regular, meticulous cleaning schedule, and we carefully hand pick the produce ourselves to minimize human contact with the food. Strict personal hygiene and sanitation equipment (rubber gloves) are mandatory when entering the greenhouse.