Frequently asked questions
DO YOU USE PESTICIDES (HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES AND FUNGICIDES)?
Our greens grow in a fully controlled environment that is monitored on a continual basis. Because of this we do not require the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or any other harmful chemical sprays in our growing process.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GMO)?
| No, none of our products are genetically modified. |
DO YOUR PRODUCTS TASTE BETTER THAN OTHER PRODUCTS?
We may be a little biased; however, we think our greens taste great. Because our greens are grown locally using advanced lighting and irrigation systems to mimic perfect springtime conditions – they get to market quickly and with fresher produce you get tastier product.
HOW DO YOU GROW YOUR PLANTS?
We grow our plants using a hydroponic system. Because our plants are grown in a controlled indoor environment, we give them all of the essential nutrients they need, light from efficient LEDs, appropriate heat and humidity, and the right amount of carbon dioxide for a healthy growth cycle.
WHY DO YOU USE LED FOR LIGHTING, AND NOT THE SUN?
LED lighting gives us the ability to have multiple levels of plants growing in the same square footage. Additionally, they give us the ability to grow our products 365 days a year. It’s important to note this does not negatively affect the plants nutrient content.
WILL YOUR PRODUCTS LAST LONGER THAN OTHERS ON THE MARKET?
The majority of greens in Canada are imported from California and Arizona spending as much as 7-10 days in transit reducing their shelf lift once they get to store. Our network of farms across Canada allows us to get our product from our farm to your table in as little as 36 hrs so you can enjoy the freshest tasting greens that spend less time on the road, so they last longer in your fridge.
ARE YOUR GREENS GROWN IN CANADA?
Yes! As the only network of vertical farms in Canada, we are able to deliver our greens to most retailers across the country within a few days of harvest. Growing in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec and delivering locally means you can enjoy fresher, better tasting greens that have retained their nutritional density during shorter travel.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIVES APPLIED TO YOUR GREENS?
No. We do not add or apply anything to our greens during growth or after harvest. The plants are simply given the water, nutrients, and light that they need – and that makes for delicious greens.
DO I HAVE TO WASH THEM?
Our greens are ready to eat right out of the package. They are grown and harvested in an indoor controlled environment, without the use of pesticides, fungicides or herbicides, and do not come in contact with human hands which is why we are not required to triple wash our greens prior to distribution. That being said, you can never be too careful which is why we do suggest washing before use.
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS CERTIFIED ORGANIC?
Organic products can still be exposed to pesticides and often require triple washing to remove residues that can harm the plant. Our greens are grown in our state-of-the art indoor vertical farm which uses the latest advancements in technology to maintain ideal growing conditions using non-GMO seeds, without the need for pesticides, fungicides or herbicides.
WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL STORAGE CONDITION FOR YOUR PRODUCTS?
Our greens should be refrigerated between 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
HOW DO I USE THE MICROGREENS?
Microgreens are a delicious, nutritious and easy way to add flavour and nutrition to any meal. For example, use them in place of lettuce in salads, sandwiches, wraps or add into smoothies for a nutritious boost of vitamins and minerals. For a full list of recipes, check out our Recipes page or Instagram.
CAN I TOUR THE FARM?
CAN YOU COOK WITH MICROGREENS?
Microgreens are known for their versatility in cooking. You can add them to almost any meal in their natural state to maintain their crispness, colour and flavour. With that being said, we have several recipes on our website that feature microgreens being used as an ingredient in smoothies, pesto’s, pastas, cocktails, and other cooked dishes.
HOW DO YOU GROW?
| Our greens are grown using a method called “Vertical Farming”. This method takes growing levels and stacks them several layers high. Our multi-level, indoor growing environments eliminates the need for pesticides/herbicides. Our plants are provided light through high efficiency LED’s, which mimic the spring sun, and water & nutrients are delivered through a highly sophisticated hydroponics system. (Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil). |
WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF? HOW DO YOU MAKE THEM SO FLAVOURFUL?
Ideal growing conditions make for great tasting greens. We don’t add anything to our plants – they really are that good. For example, our Kick’n Mustard Micros are grown from a blend of mustard seeds. Microgreens are harvested young, so that all the flavour and nutrients for the mature plants are still packed into the leaves, giving it a more intense flavor and higher nutritional content.
WHAT MAKES YOUR GROWING “SUSTAINABLE”?
We’ve made it our mission to reduce our resource use and overall environmental impact. We compost our substrate & non-ediable plant material, only use energy efficient LED’s, and collect, filter, and reuse 95% of our water. In addition, our indoor controlled environment allows us to grow year-round, significantly increasing our output per square foot compared to field grown farms.
HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
All of our greens have a Best Before date stamped on the front of the package, though at times they can last longer if properly stored in your refrigerator.
WHAT MAKES GOODLEAF DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MICROGREENS?
GoodLeaf is committed to food safety. Our farm is designed to be highly automated, so much so that the first person to touch our greens is you when you first open the package at home.
WHY DON’T YOU SELL BABY KALE OR BABY ARUGULA ANYMORE?
We made the tough decision to remove our Baby Arugula and Baby Kale from our grow rooms to open up space for new and more popular products. You can find a full selection of our delicious product offerings on Our Greens page.
HOW MANY SERVINGS ARE IN A PACKAGE OF MICROGREENS?
Our 50g packages are designed to support a variety of use cases. Some users may choose to consume a whole package in a salad, while others may use only a handful to add to a sandwiches or pop in a smoothie.
