Researchers in the Department of Biology and the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design have collaborated to create an indoor hydroponic plant growth system, termed Garden Fresh Home, to grow herbs and vegetables.  Prototype systems have been 3D printed and used to successfully grow herbs, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, raspberries, and strawberries.  The Garden Fresh Home device is best suited for growing plants that are under two feet tall and do not require frames to support plant vines.  Importantly, plants are grown in a soil-free system with tap water and proprietary algae to supply the needed nutrients.  By increasing availability and access to fresh produce, the researchers aim to improve the nutrition choices of users, providing a strategy for maintaining a healthy weight as part of a behavioral approach to combating obesity.  Because the system is compact and readily fits on a countertop, it is optimal for use in urban dwellings or apartments.