Making 'Veggie' Subs: Natick Engineer Tests Growing Fruits and Vegetables on Military Ships

NATICK, MA—If the soldiers pack rolls, they could indeed make veggie subs on their sub, with veggies grown on that sub.

Don Holman, who is an engineering technician with the Joint Foodservice and Engineering Team at the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, has been testing the feasibility of growing fruits and vegetables on U.S. warships, reports the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center. He's working on a "hydroponic farm," which is one that needs no soil and uses lights to simulate day and night conditions.

He's grown dozens of different plants so far, including leafy greens and root veggies, so the concept seems to be working.

Holman grew on on a farm, and spent 30 years in the Navy, explaining that soldiers want fresh food. He says it's feasible to grow fruit and vegetables on a submarine.

The U.S. Department of agriculture says that "Hydroponics, or growing plants in a nutrient solution root medium, is a growing area of commercial food production and also is used for home food production by hobbyists."

Read the full report from the U.S. Army.

Photo Credit: U.S. Army