In some geographic locations during some times of the year, sunlight is scarce for crop cultivation. It is difficult to start and grow some types of plants indoors. Many have turned to lighting in the past but growers are now turning to LED lighting products for help while still being environmentally conscious.

LED lighting provides 100% of the light spectrum needed for photosynthesis – the process that plants use to convert light, traditionally from the sun, into chemical energy to fuel itself in growth. Many studies have shown that fruit, vegetable and herb growth under LED lighting – specifically red and blue light – is highly likely to produce tastier and more nutritional food. LEDs are a good choice in part because of how cool they run in comparison to their lesser incandescent and halogen options. Furthermore, researchers have also found that food stored under LED lights improves both visually as well as taste even after being harvested.

“By changing the mix of lights, tomatoes can grow with more vitamin C. Basil gets tastier. The lights can be used as a supplement in more traditional greenhouses, but are even more effective in a closet-like vertical farm with no natural light.” (source: fastcoexist)

Here is where it gets out of this world – LED light plant growth has even reached outer-space. Astronauts currently living on the International Space Station (ISS) are now able to grow their own food under LED lighting and actually eat it! This week, US astronauts Scott Kelly, Kjell Lindgren, and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, partook in a first “meal” grown in space! This meal was really a few leaves of red lettuce that was harvested with the LED lights and treated with food-grade sanitizing wipes.

The result still being REAL FOOD! “Awesome” doesn’t even cover it!