By breaking many of the established food chains, the COVID19 pandemic and subsequent recession demonstrated a weakness in the American food production and distribution systems. The result was a dramatic increase in food insecurity across metropolitan areas of the United States, particularly in food deserts. Though the recession and pandemic may now be abating, the food issues will leave a residual impact.
One of the solutions suggested to address the growing levels of urban food insecurity was to revive the World War II Victory Gardens that in 1945 produced 40% of the food in the nation from individual back yards. The challenge today is that the modern back yard is a postage stamp compared to the yards of the past, thus not providing enough space to produce the average 800 pounds (363.4 kg) of vegetables per family as was done back then. This paper describes a proof of concept study in Phoenix Arizona that tested if aquaponics can provide a solution to this dilemma by increasing home food production levels thus allowing the Victory Garden business model to be revived.
Using the "Deep Water Culture" aquaponics method discussed in Brooks, G. B. 2019 Aquaculture Magazine V45#4 - page 60-64, the results suggest it would be possible to produce the targeted amount of food (800lbs/ 363.4kg) within the 400 ft2/37.16m2 of backyard garden space commonly available at homes in the Phoenix Arizona Metro area. The results also suggest the potential for monetary savings in the home food and water budgets.