Microgreens: a triple win for customers, health, and the planet

Microgreens — young plants harvested just a few weeks after germination — have been widely adopted throughout the food service industry. Restaurants, cafes and hotels are increasingly incorporating these ingredients into their menus for myriad reasons, including their unique flavors, high nutrient value and health benefits and sustainability, as microgreens are often grown via hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. As such, the Global Hydroponics Market size is expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 19.2% CAGR during the forecast period. 1 Similarly, the microgreens market is expected to grow at a 7.5% CAGR by 2028, with the highest growth market being North America. 2

Has your organization yet to jump on the microgreen trend? Here are a few compelling reasons why you should take advantage of microgreens’ popularity, sooner rather than later, and how you can more easily do so.

Elevate the customer experience while meeting your corporate sustainability goals

Hydroponic-grown microgreens help create a unique customer experience. By incorporating these ingredients into dishes and vibrant drink garnishes, restaurants can differentiate themselves from their competitors. To create a more immersive dining experience, some restaurants are even offering interactive experiences, wherein customers can choose their own microgreens from an on-site hydroponic growing system and learn more about hydroponics in the process.

From a sustainability perspective, hydroponic-grown microgreens help address the growing concern about the environmental impact of traditional agriculture. Soil depletion, water waste and pesticide use are some of the issues that can be addressed by hydroponics, and hydroponics can reduce water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional agriculture. Moreover, hydroponics can be used to grow crops in urban environments, which can reduce the carbon footprint of transportation, as well as promote social and economic sustainability, by creating local jobs and providing fresh produce to communities year-round.

So how can you get started? Meet Babylon Micro-Farms

In recent years, Babylon Micro-Farms has been leading the way in bringing microgreens to the masses. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the startup, founded in 2016 by Alexander Olesen and Graham Smith, specializes in growing microgreens using hydroponic technology. The business’s innovative approach to farming has attracted attention from chefs, foodservice operators and investors alike, positioning Babylon Micro-Farms at the forefront of the movement to incorporate microgreens into the foodservice industry.

However, Babylon Micro-Farms doesn’t just ship microgreens to your door. Instead, the startup helps you grow your own microgreens on-site, with everything you need to consistently enjoy incredible harvests all year round, using minimal space and resources. On-site micro-farms are cloud-connected, remotely monitored, beautiful growing machines, and each unit can produce 4,160 full-sized servings of microgreens per year.

The ease of this system makes it particularly attractive to foodservice organizations. All you have to do to get started is simply order your Babylon Box, plan your produce, place your order and download the app to your tablet or phone. The app helps you plan and operate your Micro-FarmTM, access live growing data and connect to your dedicated Babylon indoor farming expert. Additionally, each month, Babylon sends you pre-seeded pods selected from the app, with all the supplies you need to help you keep your Micro-Farm healthy and at peak growing performance.

From there, you can use the microgreens in a variety of dishes, from salads and sandwiches to entrees and sides. Chefs and operators appreciate the microgreens’ high quality and consistency, and the sustainability benefits of the hydroponic Babylon Micro-Farms system can’t be overlooked, either. The company is a leader in the sustainable agriculture movement, with each system conserving water and space while reducing operators’ carbon footprints.

What are you waiting for?

It’s clear that microgreens are going nowhere. In fact, as more consumers become aware of the nutritional and environmental benefits of microgreens, demand is likely to grow further. With its innovative approach to farming and commitment to sustainability, Babylon Micro-Farms is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and you can be, too.

Engage your customers, achieve your sustainability goals and add vibrant color to your operations all while doing good, with the help of Babylon Micro-Farms.

1 (Source: “Global Hydroponics Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Type, By Crops, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2021 - 2027”)

2 (Source: “Mordor Intelligence: Microgreens Market - Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (2023 - 2028))

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