Canada: Hidden farm sprouts interest in microgreens in the heart of urban London, Ontario
Launched in 2020, Forest City Microgreens grows 14 different varieties of microgreens
By Matthew Trevithick
CBC News
Jan 05, 2024
Excerpt:
The King Street facility measures roughly 750 sq. ft., and is filled with racks of broccoli, arugula, red cabbage, rainbow radish, cilantro, red amaranth, and other varieties, which FCM sells direct to customers and local restaurants, including through a subscription service.
Microgreens, Ramirez says, have higher concentrations of nutrients and antioxidants compared to their fully-grown counterparts, making them an excellent dietary addition.
While not a panacea for the food insecurity issues facing Canada, microgreens and indoor urban farming could play a positive role in the agricultural landscape, said Geneviève Metson, associate professor with Western University’s Department of Geography and Environment.
“Especially in colder climates, where we can’t grow year-round, obviously, growing indoors means that we can sometimes access more fresh, green vegetables,” she said.
Other potential positives could be informing the public about what it takes to grow food, impacting people’s purchasing decisions in buying local, and getting more people interested in food production.
