Times have certainly changed over the last year and a half… Modern technology, combined with a global pandemic, has made ordering food from your favorite restaurant, or picking up groceries for the week, easier than ever. With curbside pick up, you don’t have to leave your car, and with trusty delivery, you don’t even have to leave your house! Gone are the days of just pizza showing up on your doorstep… There’s a new, healthier option in town: microgreens.

What are microgreens?

Microgreens are very similar to adult vegetables, in that they’re still the same crop, but they’re harvested at an earlier stage, between 1-3 inches, when the plant is most concentrated in its nutrition. While the nutrient content varies with plant type, microgreens contain a higher level of vitamins and antioxidants than its more mature leaves. There are many different types of seeds, but microgreens are known to have a strong and concentrated flavor.

Where can you get them?

Before the pandemic, you would’ve had a tough time finding microgreens in West Virginia, perhaps with the exception of one of the more popular microgreens: wheatgrass. Luckily, with the help of that first stimulus check, a local microgreens company was born: Oh My Greens. It’s an indoor farm company specializing in “locally grown and delivered” living foods. 

“Since COVID, so many more people are concerned about their health and watching what they’re eating and watching what their kids are eating,” said Matt Hammack, Founder and CEO of Oh My Greens. 

Hammack started growing microgreens with all organic, non-GMO seeds, without the use of pesticides, in a climate-controlled room using LED lights. He started sharing them with family and friends, then began selling and delivering them straight to people’s homes. As the business started growing, Hammack hired his parents to help harvest the microgreens, deliver subscriptions each week and sell them at Capitol Market in Charleston on the weekends. 

“So many more people are used to home delivery now. This last year changed that so much,” said Hammack. 

Currently, Oh My Greens delivers to Charleston, Dunbar, St. Albans and Teays Valley, with plans to expand to Huntington soon. The company sells broccoli, rambo radish, southern giant mustard, sunflower, sweat pea and spicy salad microgreens, along with wheatgrass.

In addition to having them delivered straight to your door, Oh My Greens can now be purchased at Healthy Life Market in Drug Emporium and Wheelhouse on Bridge Road in Charleston. They’re also found in dishes at Bridge Road Bistro and 1010 Bridge. 

How do you use microgreens in your diet?

Microgreens can be eaten raw, juiced or added to hot or cold dishes. They can easily be added to smoothies, salads, sandwiches or used as a garnish.

Here’s a simple nutrient-packed smoothie Hammack swears by: 

Super Smoothie

• sunflower and sweet pea microgreens

• banana

• apple

• pear or pineapple (using some of the juice as liquid)

If you’re interested in learning more about microgreens, or having them delivered straight to your door, check out https://ohmygreens.app and don’t forget to share your recipes with us in the comments below! Enjoy!