Goodfood2u is committed to offering food grown as close to Ottawa as possible. As a blanket of snow covers the ground and the amount of light in each day fades, locally grown produce (other than root crops, cabbages and micro-greens) become harder to find. We are excited to be able to offer lettuces and herbs grown just outside of Ottawa from MinerAqua. MinerAqua is a family-owned and operated business that started in 2018.
Aquaponics has a long history, having been used by the Aztecs and are written about in 13th Century Chinese agricultural manual. In North America aquaponics can be traced to research in the 1970’s that led to the rise of aquaponics in Canada in the 1990’s.
Aquaponics consists of two main components: aquaculture which raises fish and other aquatic animals and hydroponics for growing plants without soil. In this symbiotic system the fish fertilize the plants with their waste and the plants feed the fish.
We offer greens from MinerAqua that have been grown using aquaponics. All their produce certified organic and is free of pesticides and herbicides and their fish are grown without the use of hormones or antibiotics.
Are aquaponics plants vegan?
Well that depends on individual vegan perspective.
Fish are being used to fertilize the plants and are in captivity, to some this may not line up with their ethical standing. However, the fish in the case of MinerAqua are being treated and cared for in the best possible way. The only thing being used from the fish is their waste, so the fish do get to live out their lives and reproduce.
When comparing aquaponics to conventional agricultural practices, there is significantly less water waste as aquaponics recycles 90% of water used. MinerAqua is also pesticide, hormone and chemical free therefore the environment that the fish live in is without dangerous chemicals, it’s clean and as natural as possible. They are also located a short drive to Ottawa, reducing food miles and the environmental impact that has on the earth.
When vegans eat sea vegetables like nori, kombu, wakame, these sea vegetables are being grown the same way, however they are being grown in their natural environment.
If someone’s veganism is centered around environmental practices and sustainability then aquaponics certainly outweighs conventional agriculture in it’s uses of water, reduction of chemicals, pesticides and herbicides.
We are proud to partner with MinerAqua and support their mission of sustainable, ecological, safe, clean and organic growing practices. We are delighted to offer locally grown greens as we head into the winter. Wherever you stand on your views towards aquaponics, we welcome and respect it all! We are here to offer sustainable alternatives to a diverse group of consumers. It is up to each of us to make our own choices.
