Released For Publication - August 23, 2021
A bit of crunch in a sandwich, a burst of flavour on a burger, a punch of nutrients in a smoothie — microgreens might be nature’s perfect addition to the menu.
Fresh, great tasting and healthy, microgreens boast versatility and variety, making them an ideal piece to include with any dish you may be preparing. They are used in the world’s best kitchens as a fresh and vibrant garnish or key ingredient, adding flavour, texture and nutrition to the dish. Applications go beyond just salads and sandwiches — microgreens are a welcome addition to healthy bowls, signature burgers, pizzas, tacos, pastas — even smoothies.
“Microgreens go a long way on the plate, offering up to 40 times more vital nutrients than their fully grown counterparts,”
says Jacquie Needham, Accounts Manager with GoodLeaf Farms.
“When grown in an indoor vertical farm, they are also free of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, making them a tasty, safe and healthy addition to your diet.”
Microgreens are plants that have been harvested before they reach full maturity — they are grown from the same seeds as mature plants, they are just plucked from the soil earlier. The harvest of microgreens is typically one to two weeks after germination, around the time the first set of true leaves appear.
The benefits of microgreens are many:
Fresh, Intense Flavour — Local microgreens add a punch of flavour and freshness to any dish. Spicy Mustard Medley is a great substitute for regular mustard on your burger, or use a handful of Micro Arugula to add some nuttiness to your favourite salad.
Local Food, Year Round — Indoor vertical farms make year-round fresh local produce a reality in a climate-limited country like Canada. In the controlled environment of a vertical farm, there are no concerns about weather or pests, ensuring quality and consistency with every crop.
Pesticide Free — The growing room at GoodLeaf Farms, for example, is almost clinical in nature. Everything from the humidity to the light to the airflow is strictly controlled and regulated, and the room is kept free of any pests, meaning there is no need to spray the crops with potentially hazardous pesticides.
Safe — You need confidence that the food you are about to eat is safe. GoodLeaf’s microgreens are held to the highest safety standards, including a positive release program where every harvest is tested to ensure it is safe and “touch-free” technology.
Sustainable — Vertical farms can grow more with less. GoodLeaf uses 95 per cent less water than traditional growing methods, is more efficient in land use and the soil used for growing its microgreens and baby greens is recycled for commercial landscaping.
GoodLeaf’s family of microgreens include Spicy Mustard Medley, Asian Blend, Micro Arugula, Pea Shoots, Micro Radish and the newest addition, Micro Broccoli. GoodLeaf’s microgreens can currently be found at Loblaws, Fortinos, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer, Longo’s, Whole Foods and Metro stores across Ontario.
About GoodLeaf Farms:
With a passion for delicious, nutrient-rich greens, GoodLeaf was founded in Halifax in 2011. Using an innovative technology and leveraging multi-level vertical farming, GoodLeaf has created a controlled and efficient indoor farm that can grow fresh produce anywhere in the world, 365 day of the year. The system combines innovations in LED lighting with leading edge hydroponic techniques to produce sustainable, safe, pesticide-free, nutrient-dense leafy greens. GoodLeaf has ongoing R&D Programs in collaboration with the University of Guelph, Dalhousie University and Acadia University.
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