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News24
16-07-2025
- Health
- News24
What students eat: I conducted a survey at a South African university's cafes – the results are scary
University students have limited spending money and their schedules are packed. Many are adapting to new lifestyles on campus. Eating a healthy diet is crucial: a poor diet leads to reduced concentration, lower grades and increased stress. Campus cafés, especially at universities that are some distance from supermarkets, often sell mainly fast food such as white bread sandwiches, hot chips and doughnuts. It's easy to eat on the go, but places nutritious choices out of reach. I'm an urban geographer who researches the relationship between food, health and place. My work examines how urban agriculture, informal food systems and everyday urban infrastructures shape well-being, sustainability and spatial justice in African cities. Research has already found that through pricing, menu design and information provision, campus cafés play a decisive role in shaping dietary behaviours among young adults. I wanted to find out how students at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa choose what to eat when they're on campus, what they see as healthy food and what stands in the way of them buying nutritious meals. READ | Can food order and vinegar hacks help manage blood sugar? The university is one that was underfunded during apartheid. Until 1994 it primarily taught students who were Black and people of Colour. Today, it serves about 23 000 students, many of whom are drawn from low-income backgrounds, and has few supermarkets within walking distance. The campus cafés are a key food supply area for students. My research found that at the University of the Western Cape, only 32% of the food offered at the student café was healthy. It also cost more than the fast food. The students I surveyed knew healthy food was important. But only a small minority consistently chose nutritious meals. Nearly 40% of the group reported that the healthy options were too expensive. Sandiso Phaliso/GroundUp When students face the twin challenges of financial hardship and inadequate access to affordable, nutritious food, this deepens inequality. It also undermines their efforts to succeed. Even worse, it can cause students to develop long term, unhealthy eating habits that damage their health. Unless affordability, availability and awareness of healthy food choices are addressed together, students will struggle to eat well and to perform at their best. Universities must implement targeted food subsidies, introduce clearer nutritional labelling, and expand healthy menu options to make nutritious eating more accessible and appealing to students. Students speak out about their food choices I conducted a survey that sampled 112 students in five campus cafés at the university. These cafés are mainly used by students in the 18-24 age group. My survey revealed that 75.9% of students considered healthy offerings at least 'somewhat important' when choosing where to eat. Yet only 6.3% always selected nutritious options; 28.6% rarely or never did so. Meanwhile, 38.4% of students described nutritious meals as 'expensive' and another 8% found the healthy options 'very expensive'. My research also found that University of the Western Cape students ate very little fruit and vegetables. Just 41% of the students I surveyed ate two or more servings a day and 9.8% admitted they ate none. I also did a detailed menu audit at one café to see what was on the menu. I found that only 32.6% of 46 distinct items met basic 'healthy' criteria (they were low in saturated fats and made up of whole-grains or vegetables). The majority of students (55.4%) had not noticed any campus healthy-eating campaigns, but agreed (57.1%) that balanced meals boosted academic performance and overall well-being: I feel much more focused and energetic when I eat well, which helps me do better in my studies and feel healthier overall. Only a small handful of the students said they could afford healthy campus café meals: I choose cafés based on food quality. If the food is fresh and tasty, I'll pay more, but it needs to be worth it. What needs to happen next High prices for nutritious items, narrow menu selections and barely visible information about nutrition are preventing students from eating healthy foods on campus. Campus café offerings tend to mirror the broader inequities of national and global food systems. Food environments of big institutions like universities can prop up food inequality, even if these universities are committed to social justice. Universities should adopt these steps to make healthy food available to students: Subsidised meal plans and discounts: Introducing a tiered subsidy for students from low-income backgrounds would directly reduce costs. For example, meal vouchers could make salads, whole-grain sandwiches and fruit bowls as affordable as a pastry or soft drink. A wider range of food on the menu and smaller portions: Partnerships between university caterers and local cooperatives or farmers could expand the range of fresh produce. Smaller portions or 'light' meal options could be sold at lower prices to suit tighter budgets. Regularly rotating healthy specials and clearly labelling ingredients and calories would help students become accustomed to choosing healthy meals. Visible nutrition campaigns: Digital and printed standout posters about healthy foods could be placed around campus. Universities could hold social-media challenges and pop-up tasting events. Integrating simple tips into lecture slides or student newsletters would also help by repeatedly exposing students to healthy food tips. Peer-led workshops and cooking classes: These should be arranged to empower students to take ownership of their diets and learn about budgeting, meal planning and quick, nutritious cooking skills. Peer facilitators can demystify healthy eating and create a supportive healthy eating community. Seeking feedback: To see if their healthy food campaigns are working, universities should survey students, and analyse sales data from the cafés to see what's being eaten. They should get feedback from students through focus groups that identify emerging needs and ensure that campaigns and projects reflect the realities of students' lives. My research suggests that by tackling cost, choice and communication together, universities can transform their cafés from sites of compromise into engines of student well-being. Such interventions would unlock academic potential and set young people on healthier life paths. This is an outcome as enriching as any degree.
Globe and Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Home Hydroponics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report (2025–2030)
"MarketsandMarkets™" Home Hydroponics Market by Product Type (Hydroponic Growing Systems and Components), System Type (Aggregate Systems and Liquid Systems), Crop Seed Type (Leafy Greens & Herbs and Fruits & Vegetables), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030 The home hydroponics market is estimated at USD 1.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.77 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 16.0% from 2025 to 2030. Environmental, technological, and lifestyle factors are driving the home hydroponics market. Increasing awareness about sustainable and pesticide-free food production has led consumers to explore alternative growing methods that reduce resource use and carbon footprint. Urbanization and limited availability of gardening space in cities are pushing households toward compact, soil-less farming systems. Technological innovations such as automated nutrient delivery, IoT-based monitoring, and energy-efficient LED lighting have made hydroponics more user-friendly and accessible. Home Hydroponics Market Growth Drivers Urbanization & Space Constraints: As more people move to cities, limited gardening space has made compact, soil-less systems appealing for urban dwellers. Sustainability & Food Security: Growing concerns about food quality, pesticide use, and supply chain disruptions have increased interest in home-grown, chemical-free produce. Technological Advancements: Innovations such as automated nutrient delivery, IoT-based monitoring, and energy-efficient LED lighting have made hydroponics more accessible and user-friendly for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Health & Lifestyle Trends: Rising health awareness and a preference for fresh, homegrown food are spurring adoption, especially among younger, tech-savvy consumers. Home Hydroponics Market Trends Smart Hydroponic Systems: Integration of IoT, automation, and app-based controls allows users to monitor and manage plant growth remotely, simplifying care and optimizing yields. Compact & Modular Kits: Designed for small spaces, these kits are popular among apartment dwellers and beginners. Sustainable Living: Eco-conscious consumers are drawn to hydroponics for its efficient water use, reduced carbon footprint, and minimal reliance on pesticides. By system type, the nutrient film technique segment holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market The nutrient film technique (NFT) holds a significant share in the system type segment of the home hydroponics market due to its efficiency, simplicity, and suitability for small-scale indoor setups. NFT systems work by flowing a thin film of nutrient-rich water over the roots of plants, providing constant access to oxygen and nutrients while minimizing water usage. This method is particularly popular among home growers for leafy greens and herbs, as it supports rapid growth and is relatively easy to maintain. The compact and modular design of NFT systems makes them ideal for urban households with limited space, and their low operational cost further enhances their appeal. The rising availability of affordable NFT kits and DIY-friendly designs has also contributed to widespread adoption. As consumers become more environmentally conscious and seek cost-effective solutions for growing fresh produce at home, the NFT system continues to gain traction as a preferred choice in the hydroponics market. By crop seed type, the leafy greens & herbs segment holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market Leafy greens and herbs hold the largest share in the home hydroponics market due to their fast growth cycles, compact root structures, and suitability for indoor environments. Lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, mint, and parsley thrive in hydroponic systems and require minimal space and maintenance, making them ideal for home growers. These crops can be harvested frequently and regrown quickly, offering a steady, fresh supply for personal consumption. Their high nutritional value and widespread culinary use further increase their appeal among health-conscious consumers. Additionally, leafy greens and herbs are less sensitive to variations in climate and lighting conditions compared to fruiting plants, making them more compatible with small-scale, beginner-friendly hydroponic setups. Asia Pacific dominates the home hydroponics market share. The Asia Pacific region holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market, driven by rapid urbanization, rising population density, and growing concerns over food security and environmental sustainability. China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are at the forefront of adopting innovative indoor farming technologies due to limited arable land and increasing demand for fresh, pesticide-free produce. The rising middle class in these nations, along with a strong cultural emphasis on healthy living and homegrown food, fosters widespread acceptance of hydroponic systems. Urban consumers, particularly in densely populated cities, are turning to compact and modular home hydroponics as a practical solution for space constraints and food quality concerns. Additionally, the increasing use of technology in everyday life across the region has paved the way for smart, app-controlled hydroponic kits to gain popularity among tech-savvy households. Government initiatives and supportive policies further reinforce Asia Pacific's strong position in the home hydroponics market. For example, Singapore's '30 by 30' initiative aims to produce 30% of the nation's nutritional needs locally by 2030, encouraging urban farming methods such as hydroponics. Similarly, investments in smart agriculture, sustainability education, and public awareness campaigns in India and China are boosting market potential. The presence of regional startups and growing partnerships between agritech companies and urban housing developers are also expanding product availability. With a blend of economic growth, rising health awareness, and policy support, the Asia Pacific region is poised to continue its influential role in shaping the global home hydroponics landscape. The report profiles key players such as The Scotts Company LLC (US), Hydrofarm (US), GrowGeneration Corp. (US), Rise Gardens (US), Gardyn (US), Growgreen Limited (Hong Kong), Ingarden GmbH (Germany), Holland Horticulture (UK), CLICK & GROW LLC (Estonia), and Altifarm Enverde (US). In June 2025, GrowGeneration Corp. acquired Viagrow, a domestic supplier of gardening and hydroponic equipment. In November 2023, Click & Grow partnered with Urban Cultivator to scale up the cultivation of its plant pods for commercial use. In January 2023, Rise Gardens launched a new top-of-the-line, fully modular garden at CES 2023. In October 2022, Gardyn launched Gardyn Home 3.0, its most advanced home hydroponic system. Request Sample Pages: About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Award-winning Sussex garden receives new home in Lewes
An award-winning garden designed to look like a roadside verge will be rehomed outside an East Sussex nature on the Verge, designed by Eastbourne-based landscapers Wild Design Studio, was created to show how roadside verges can promote garden, which won a silver gilt medal at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, will now be moved to the Railway Land nature reserve in Lewes to give it a permanent will be joined by pupils from Western Road School and young people on work placements to help to rebuild the garden on Monday. Helen Meade, chief executive of the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, said the garden "challenges the idea that nature only belongs in the countryside, showing how wildness can thrive in unexpected places and offer space for connection, care and wellbeing".The garden will from part of the Lewes Mosaic project which aims to bring more wildlife-friendly spaces to the on the Verge features wildflowers and grasses alongside an artwork depicting a road sign and bee posts, which provide nesting spaces for the insects, in the shape of roadside O'Brien, one of the garden's designers, said verges were "often wasted spaces" but there was "so much potential for them to become wildlife havens".The garden was designed by Ms O'Brien and colleagues Robin Dunlop and Laura London and is intended to sit alongside a road in an urban setting.
New York Times
08-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
Sweden's Secret to Well-Being? Tiny Urban Gardens.
On an unseasonably warm June morning in Stockholm, Stina Larsson, 98, stood among fragrant lilacs, lilies and lavender, inspecting the garden that she has tended for more than 40 years. Rabbits had been nibbling the nasturtiums, she noticed, and there were weeds that needed pulling. Ms. Larsson's garden, situated on a postage stamp of land beside the Karlbergs Canal, is one of more than 7,000 garden allotments, known as koloniträdgårdar, in Stockholm. The gardens, established as part of a social movement around the turn of the 20th century, offer city dwellers access to green space and a reprieve from crowded urban life. Though most are modest in size — Ms. Larsson's garden is about 970 square feet — koloniträdgårdar are prized for providing a rare kind of urban sanctuary, a corner of the city where residents can trade pavement for soil, and the buzz of traffic for birdsong. Sofia Runarsdotter for The New York Times Ms. Larsson has tended this garden plot since 1979. She recently passed it on to her granddaughters Ellen and Hedvig. 'Coming here, it feels like you're out in the countryside really quickly,' said Ellen Gustavsson, 33, who bikes to the garden a few times a week to water plants and host get-togethers with friends. Many koloniträdgårdar come with simple cottages where residents can clean vegetables, prepare meals or even spend the night. Ms. Larsson's cottage, which is painted classic Falu red, is equipped with electricity and cold water. The garden programs were specifically designed to improve the mental and physical health of city dwellers, said Fredrik Björk, a lecturer at Malmö University who specializes in environmental history. 'The idea was that a working-class family would be able to spend the summer there and work together but also have some leisure and fun,' Mr. Björk said on the phone from his own koloniträdgård in Ärtholmen, a garden association in Malmö that dates back to the 1940s. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Home Hydroponics Market worth $3.77 billion by 2030- Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The home hydroponics market is estimated at USD 1.80 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.77 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 16.0% from 2025 to 2030, according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets™. The home hydroponics market is being driven by environmental, technological, and lifestyle factors. Increasing awareness about sustainable and pesticide-free food production has led consumers to explore alternative growing methods that reduce resource use and carbon footprint. Urbanization and limited availability of gardening space in cities are pushing households toward compact, soil-less farming systems. Technological innovations such as automated nutrient delivery, IoT-based monitoring, and energy-efficient LED lighting have made hydroponics more user-friendly and accessible. Browse in-depth TOC on "Home Hydroponics Market" 204– Tables 53– Figures 230– Pages Download PDF Brochure: By system type, the nutrient film technique segment holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market The nutrient film technique (NFT) holds a significant share in the system type segment of the home hydroponics market due to its efficiency, simplicity, and suitability for small-scale indoor setups. NFT systems work by flowing a thin film of nutrient-rich water over the roots of plants, providing constant access to oxygen and nutrients while minimizing water usage. This method is particularly popular among home growers for leafy greens and herbs, as it supports rapid growth and is relatively easy to maintain. The compact and modular design of NFT systems make them ideal for urban households with limited space, and their low operational cost further enhances their appeal. The rising availability of affordable NFT kits and DIY-friendly designs has also contributed to widespread adoption. As consumers become more environmentally conscious and seek cost-effective solutions for growing fresh produce at home, the NFT system continues to gain traction as a preferred choice in the hydroponics market. By crop seed type, the leafy greens & herbs segment holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market Leafy greens and herbs hold the largest share in the home hydroponics market due to their fast growth cycles, compact root structures, and suitability for indoor environments. Lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, mint, and parsley thrive in hydroponic systems and require minimal space and maintenance, making them ideal for home growers. These crops can be harvested frequently and regrown quickly, offering a steady, fresh supply for personal consumption. Their high nutritional value and widespread culinary use further increase their appeal among health-conscious consumers. Additionally, leafy greens and herbs are less sensitive to variations in climate and lighting conditions compared to fruiting plants, making them more compatible with small-scale, beginner-friendly hydroponic setups. Request Sample Pages: Based on region, Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the home hydroponics market The Asia Pacific region holds a significant share in the home hydroponics market, driven by rapid urbanization, rising population density, and growing concerns over food security and environmental sustainability. China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are at the forefront of adopting innovative indoor farming technologies due to limited arable land and increasing demand for fresh, pesticide-free produce. The rising middle class in these nations, along with a strong cultural emphasis on healthy living and homegrown food, fosters widespread acceptance of hydroponic systems. Urban consumers, particularly in densely populated cities, are turning to compact and modular home hydroponics as a practical solution for space constraints and food quality concerns. Additionally, the increasing use of technology in everyday life across the region has paved the way for smart, app-controlled hydroponic kits to gain popularity among tech-savvy households. Government initiatives and supportive policies further reinforce Asia Pacific's strong position in the home hydroponics market. For example, Singapore's "30 by 30" initiative aims to produce 30% of the nation's nutritional needs locally by 2030, encouraging urban farming methods such as hydroponics. Similarly, investments in smart agriculture, sustainability education, and public awareness campaigns in India and China are boosting market potential. The presence of regional startups and growing partnerships between agri-tech companies and urban housing developers are also expanding product availability. With a blend of economic growth, rising health awareness, and policy support, the Asia Pacific region is poised to continue its influential role in shaping the global home hydroponics landscape. The report profiles key players such as The Scotts Company LLC (US), Hydrofarm (US), GrowGeneration Corp. (US), Rise Gardens (US), Gardyn (US), Growgreen Limited (Hong Kong), Ingarden GmbH (Germany), Holland Horticulture (UK), CLICK & GROW LLC (Estonia), and Altifarm Enverde (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Commercial Greenhouse Market Size, Share, Industry Growth, Trends Report by Type (Glass Greenhouse, Plastic Greenhouse), Crop Type (Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamentals, Nursery Crops), Equipment (Hardware, Software & Services) and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Hydroponics Market by Type (Aggregate systems and Liquid systems), Equipment, Input (Nutrients and Grow media), Crop Type (Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers), Farming Method (Indoor and Outdoor), Crop Area, and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore™, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. To find out more, visit or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact:Mr. Rohan SalgarkarMarketsandMarkets Inc. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@ Insight: Our Website: Source: Logo: View original content: SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
