Our Proud Producers: Greenbelt Microgreens

 

 

Ian Adamson opened Greenbelt Microgreens  in 2010, but the seeds of this endeavor were planted years before. Motivated by a desire to grow organic greens efficiently while utilizing ecological growing methodologies, Ian began tinkering with microgreens as far back as 1998. Six years later he began selling some of his produce, and after investing in a glass greenhouse and continuing to tweak and perfect the art of growing his greens, he opened Greenbelt Microgreens in 2010. In 2016 Greenbelt Microgreens is going stronger than ever, producing and supplying certified organic microgreens for restaurants and markets throughout the GTA, including of course, Fiesta Farms.

 

 

Micrgreens are the picked shoots of vegetables, herbs and lettuces, grown in soil (or soil-like matter like peat moss) that have just begun to sprout leaves, and they are packed with flavor and nutrients. It could be said Greenbelt Microgreens’ mantra is that “fresh, flavourful and beautiful microgreens can be more than an afterthought.” By emphasizing the flavor, nutrition and tantalizing appearance of microgreens as well as touting the ecological advantages attained by following certified organic farming practices, reaching for their products becomes a first choice for us as consumers, not a half-hearted decision.

…in July 2012 the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published the first scientific data on the nutritional content of 25 different Microgreens. (A 1997 study at Johns Hopkins University had shown similar benefits in Broccoli Microgreens.) Generally, they are all significantly more nutrient dense (10-40 times) than either their mature plant or their raw seed counterparts.-greenbeltmicrogreens.ca

 

 

 Add to that the fact that Greenbelt Microgreens is located right in Toronto’s backyard, on Woodbine Avenue in Gormley. It’s hard to get much more local than this, ensuring that their products arrive on shelves within 24 hours of being picked and packaged (in clear, recyclable, breathable  PET1 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging containers). Indeed, following the Three R’s (reducing, re-using and recycling) is one of their tenets, as well as adhering to the principles of energy and water conservation and using technologies involving their own well water, rainwater and windmill power. Furthermore, because it is right in our backyard, less trucking, fuel, energy, time and pollution are involved in getting this beautiful and healthy produce onto our shelves, thus reducing the dreaded carbon footprint.

 

 

At this point Greenbelt Microgreens offers fifteen different types of microgreens  as well as a variety of baby lettuces.If you’re looking for a delicious, bright and lively way to add some nutrition and pizazz to your next dinner, look no further.