Food

The amount of Food for human beings that can be brought from Earth to Mars is limited, and the logistics of a continued food transport for the long term is expensive. Especially an autonomous colony needs it's own food production. Reasons for this are cost reduction and the achievement of independence from Earth. Last but not least, the own food can be of higher quality and fresh, including a natural mix of vitamins and minerals.

Food that can be brought from Earth

• Several varieties of dehydrated food.
• Natural food that contains large amounts of fat and carbohydrates, such as nuts.
• Concentrated fruit juice.
• Light weight, high energy foods with a long shelf-life.

Local Production Methods

• Vegetable can be grown in greenhouses or on green walls.
• Proteins, fat and carbohydrates can be produced by a biotechnological factory
• In-vitro meat
• Animals, such as chicken or fish, may be raised in sections of greenhouses.

• It must be taken into account that the production of 1 kg meat requires 7 to 16 kg of vegetable matter.
• In addition, it takes 2000 to 3000 litres of water to produce 1 kg of meat, it only takes 100 litres of water to grow 1 kg of grain. Water will be a very valuable commodity on Mars, so the first generation of settlers may well be vegetarian by necessity.
• Growing insects and their larvea (e.g. flour worms) can provide valuable proteins and might consume not too much vegetable mass (compared with cattle).

• Algae
• Some food (possibly genetically modified) may be grown in the Martian atmosphere. Results from the Phoenix lander indicate that some vegetables may be grown in caves safe from radiation.

Nutrition and Energy Calculations

Assuming we have no genetically modified plants for the Martian colony we can only try to provide optimized conditions in the greenhouse for maximization of harvest. The following calculation is, therefore, based upon terrestrial agricultural figures.

Potatoes

Under best conditions on Earth it is possible to grow 3 kg potatoes per m² per year. 3 kg potatoes contain 8820 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m² cropland at a minimum to survive.

Wheat

The average harvest of wheat is 0.28 kg per m² per year. Under best conditions it is possible to grow 0.7 kg per m² per year. 0.7 kg wheat contain 9198 kJ energy, which roughly serves the energy requirements for one person for one day. So, a person needs about 365 m² cropland at a minimum to survive.

Facts and figures

• Sweden: 26260 kg potatoes per hectare

• Sweden: about 6000 kg wheats per hectare

• "Plain boiled potatoes are naturally low in fat and provide 72 kcal/100g (306 KJ/100g)"

• "Wheat flour provides 310 - 340 kcal/100g (1320 - 1450 KJ/100g)"

Open issues

• What sorts of food are required to keep the settlers healthy? We need a nutrition plan on a scientific base.
• How much vegetable is needed to produce 1 kg pork, chicken, rabbit, beef, flour worm, etc.?
• What esculent animal/insect/worm etc. needs the smallest amount of vegetable? The best mass ratio is sought-after. A list would be highly welcome.
• What is known about needed vitamins and minerals?
• Is it possible to make artificial food with an artificial mixture of vitamins and minerals, allowing humans to keep well and fit?