An-Cke van Vuuren
An-Cke van Vuuren, grower and business owner of Albany Microgreens, has a passion for growing plants and finding sustainable food source solutions, which lead her to the path of growing microgreens.
“I also find the concept an inspiring way to deal with my health constraints,” said van Vuuren.
Van Vuuren grows a range of microgreens, including broccoli, radish, sunflower and peas, and she tries to accommodate clients as per special requests for other produce grown.
She likes to add value locally by providing healthy, organic microgreens, which may enhance a joyful food experience for food lovers and chefs, striving to make a difference in her local community.
Albany Microgreens has a vertical growing set-up with soil indoors in a controlled environment with low-energy grow lights. The success of large-scale farms has supported this growing method, with van Vuuren’s long-term goal to grow in an aquaponic system. Van Vuuren is trialling this venture where fish are incorporated into the system as a sustainable source of microelements.
Daily, van Vaarun sows, waters, verifies temperature and humidity in her microgreen farm, selects and orders seeds, and maintains her equipment.
The progression and growth of the microgreens market have been emphasised by the effect of climate change, which puts importance on alternative growing models, such as those produced from climate-controlled environments.
“I believe there is a lack of appreciation for food in general, where it comes from and the value it needs to add or not to the body.”
Van Vuuren believes in practising mindfulness, pausing, and thinking carefully about the process of food production and consumption.
Albany Microgreens produce is sold both locally and online.
