In our APES class we are trying to start a greenhouse and grow food as a project but is it truly better to grow your own or buy it from a store. When you buy it from a store there is the cost to get there and purchase it. When you grow your food you have to purchase the materials and pay for up-keep as well as running cost during the winter and summer.

I think that growing your own food should be about the experience and not the cost. When you grow your own food you gain way more knowledge and experience than just grabbing it from the local Safe Way. You can also be sure that its all organic and natural because you have grown it yourself.

Another problem is that in order to grow a sustainable amount of food, you need lots of land. Although there are many people with this amount of space, not everyone has room for their own personal gardens of food, even with a stacking strategy, and making a greenhouse takes the same amount of space that not many people or schools have. Although I understand that the survival of or planet is important, we need to be considerate with the people living in the areas we want to change. Having the best intentions and a plan doesn't constitute a rewriting of different people's lives. What's more important is that we take the time and money to educate people about environmental dangers and their possible repercussions and let the people living their decide for themselves.

Yes, very well stated Benjamin. Although people may not have the space to grow a full blown garden, almost everyone has the space to grow small things, such as basil or parsley. See those are two small things that you have grown yourself, and now don't need to buy it at the store.

Thank you. Your point about the experience is also presented pretty well. However, how would you know the seeds you're getting aren't changed pre-distribution? That could damage the food you grow by yourself.

Growing food would be an amazing experience, but it would also be a lot of work. I do have a garden in the front of my house, but my neighbors use it. Also, buying food may be expensive, but it is easier in my opinion. You would not really need anything to buy food, other than money, and it would be quicker than waiting for crops to grow.

I agree with you about the fact that it does take quite awhile for crops to grow but I also agree with the others that it is about the experience. Yes, I understand that it takes forever and during the middle of the summer I would rather be in the bed at 6:00 in the mourning, rather than picking green beans or the other types of vegetables and fruits that are grown in my family’s garden. But the pay off is much more than just the cost. It is a since of pride that one feels when they eat something they help grow. Watching the little seeds turn into something on your plate is absolutely amazing. Home grown food is not just more sustainable, but it also tastes much better. If someone does not access to a place to grow on such a large scale you can always grow thing in flowerpots.

Yeah, I do agree with the experience.