Recently Gordon had a visit from a local microgreen producer based in Andover, Mass., called Simply Green. Simply Green uses indoor vertical farming to focus on providing the best quality of plants in the most economical way. Simply Green plans to partner with Bon Appetit to incorporate microgreens into the dining hall’s menu.
What is a microgreen? A microgreen is a germinating leaf or set of leaves. It is a baby plant, falling somewhere between a sprout and a baby green. They are often harvested one month after germination when the plants are roughly two inches tall. They are very expensive but hold a lot of value and health benefits. Microgreen’s nutrients are concentrated so they contain higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants than mature greens. It is measured that microgreens are up to forty times higher in antioxidants and vitamins compared to mature greens. Because of this, a traditional serving, or one cup of mature greens is equal to ¼ cup of microgreens. Meaning, you don’t have to eat a great number of microgreens to reap the benefits.
Simply Green CEO and Executive Chef David Mather said, “I am so excited to bring Simply Green to Gordon College. I have been working on this project for almost three years now. My goal is to bring forth the benefits of microgreens. The best way to have more energy and feel better is to eat better. Microgreens are a superfood, and it is my job to find creative ways for the students to consume more and hence have more energy and feel better.”
By starting with adding microgreens to smoothies, students can begin to reap the benefits of microgreens without much effort involved. Plus, smoothies are an easy way to incorporate your daily veggie quota without having to worry about tasting all the “green.”
Leave a Reply