Final answer:
The foods, in order of least to most water usage per pound grown, are tomatoes, corn, milk, and beef, with beef consuming the most water at up to 900 gallons per pound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question relates to the water usage involved in agricultural production and the water footprint of various food products. When considering water usage for different foods, it's essential to understand that meat and dairy products generally have a higher water footprint than plant-based foods. In the list provided - milk, corn, beef, and tomatoes - beef has the highest water requirement, followed by milk, then corn, and tomatoes have the lowest.
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Milk
- Beef
It takes about 3 gallons of water to grow one tomato, while substantial amounts of water are required for crops like corn. However, milk and beef have even higher water requirements, with beef production using up to 900 gallons of water per pound. Dairy production is also intensive in water use, eclipsing that of plant-based foods like almonds and corn.