Ever ask yourself why there is so much malnutrition, undernourishment, obesity and thus preventable deaths in today’s advanced medical and technological world? (As of my last update in January 2022, it's estimated that approximately 690 million people worldwide are undernourished, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)).

Why is malnutrition so prevalent?

Actual malnutrition rates are insane and are worsened by modern farming practices that harm the very ecosystems crucial for nutritious food production. With the world's population expanding rapidly, it's imperative to rethink our food system to ensure adequate nutrition while minimizing environmental harm. One specific issue is mineral malnutrition, affecting a large portion of the global population. Microgreens, the young seedlings of various vegetables, herbs, of which we grow plenty of, offer a promising solution due to their dense nutritional profile and potential for easy cultivation in any setting.

Microgreens: An Untapped MIneral-Rich Food Source

More to the point, the study Broccoli Microgreens: A Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems researched the nutritional content of broccoli microgreens grown using soil-based and hydroponic methods, comparing their nutritional value to mature broccoli. Results showed that regardless of growth method, microgreens contained higher levels of key minerals compared to mature broccoli. In fact, soil-grown microgreens, in particular, exhibited superior nutritional content. "With respect to the 13 elements analyzed, C microgreens had significantly greater quantities of nine elements (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, and Zn) than the hydroponically grown microgreens. Regardless of how they are grown, microgreens have larger quantities of Mg, Mn, Cu, and Zn than mature vegetables. However, soil-grown microgreens have higher P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ca, Na, and Cu concentrations than the mature vegetable."

In addition, microgreens required 158–236 times less water and 93–95% less time to produce equivalent nutrition compared to mature broccoli, without the need for fertilizers or pesticides.

Following a similar train of thought as EYM, the study further highlights the potential of microgreens to address malnutrition while minimizing environmental impact, particularly in urban areas just like we have been doing in Amsterdam and Amstelveen! By offering a nutrient-rich source of food that can be grown locally, microgreens present a sustainable alternative to traditional farming methods. This decentralized approach not only reduces reliance on long global food chains but also mitigates food waste and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation, distribution, and storage.

Similarly our growing methods significantly influence the nutritional content of microgreens, as we use soil-based growth which also have demonstrated clear advantages over hydroponic methods. Additionally, growing microgreens at home eliminates concerns associated with community gardening, empowering individuals to take control of their food production and consumption.

In conclusion, microgreens hold promise as a sustainable solution to global malnutrition, offering a pathway to more resilient and environmentally-friendly food systems. Promoting their cultivation at the individual level can contribute to addressing nutritional deficiencies and fostering greater self-sufficiency in urban settings. Thus our actual business practice is taking off, right here in the place where change happens: Amstelveen!