Science Experiments

Question: Is space food supplemented with food grown hydroponically on the I.S.S.?

Or are the only plants grown up there just part of life sciences experiments?
By space food i mean astronaut rations.

Answer: The ISS does have a greenhouse garden called Lada. They grow peas and mizuna (and are studying how plants grow in microgravity – essential for trips to Mars and such), though the crops produced are only in small amounts. Their main diet is still pantry-style and reconstituted (tho (needless to say) much better than that astro-pack junk we buy at the gift shops). They are going to try some grains and barley next.

As a side note … they also found that the gardening has a psychological effect and when Columbia broke up – the crew on the ISS was assigned extra garden time to help calm them.

Waves in a Large Free Sphere of Water