Food waste is a growing problem across Canada – something the Small Farm Canada team is committed to with the “Waste Not” series in the print magazine. Experts estimate that nearly one-third of food supply is thrown away. When this waste reaches landfills, it releases greenhouse gases and causes environmental harm. To address this issue, researchers at the University of Arkansas studied whether food waste compost could help grow healthy crop seedlings.
“It’s capturing food waste that would otherwise go to landfill and produce greenhouse gases and cause harm to the environment in some capacity,” said Matt Bertucci, assistant professor of sustainable fruit and vegetable production with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The study focused on tomato and watermelon seedlings. Researchers created compost using food scraps collected from a commercial partner and wood chips from a local tree service. This compost was then tested as a growing material for seedlings. Plants were grown in three different ways: using only food waste compost, using only commercial potting mix, and using blends of the two materials in different ratios.
Results showed that using food waste compost alone was not the best option for growing seedlings. Plants grown in pure compost had weaker growth and lower biomass. Biomass is an important measure of plant health and future crop yield. However, when food waste compost was blended with a commercial potting mix, the results improved significantly.
Seedlings grown in mixtures that contained less than 50% food waste compost showed better germination, stronger growth, and healthier biomass levels. These blended mixtures helped plants develop better roots and shoots, which are important for strong crop performance in the field.
The researchers concluded that food waste compost can be a useful part of growing substrates when mixed properly with other materials. This approach allows farmers and plant producers to reuse organic waste while still maintaining healthy plant growth.
Beyond crop production, the study highlights environmental benefits. Composting food waste prevents large amounts of waste from reaching landfills. It also turns discarded food into a valuable resource that supports sustainable farming practices.
The research was supported by agricultural funding programs and conducted by experts in horticulture and food science. The findings show that blending food waste compost into growing mixes can benefit both farmers and the environment.
This study provides a simple, practical example of how recycling food waste can help reduce pollution, improve soil use, and support more sustainable crop production in the future.