Frequently asked questions
Microgreens, generally
What are microgreens?
Microgreens are young vegetable and herb plants, harvested 7 to 21 days after sowing once the first true leaves appear. They are eaten whole, stem and leaf. Flavour is more concentrated than the mature plant, which is why a small amount changes a dish.
What is the difference between microgreens and sprouts?
Sprouts are germinated seeds eaten root and all, grown in water with no light and no growing medium. Microgreens are grown in a medium under light, and only the stem and leaves are cut above the root. Microgreens have leaves; sprouts do not.
How long do microgreens last in the fridge?
Ours keep 7 to 14 days refrigerated, longer than shop-bought because they reach you within 24 hours of cutting. Keep them in the clamshell in the main body of the fridge rather than the crisper drawer, and away from anything wet.
Do I need to wash microgreens before eating them?
Ours are grown hydroponically indoors with no soil and no pesticides, so no washing is needed. Rinsing adds moisture and shortens their life. If you prefer to rinse, do it immediately before eating rather than before storing.
How should I store microgreens?
Refrigerated, in the clamshell they came in, on a middle shelf. Do not seal them in a bag with no airflow and do not store them wet. If condensation forms in the clamshell, open it for a minute and add a dry piece of paper towel.
Buying from us
Where can I buy Neighbours Feeding Neighbours microgreens in Toronto?
At two farmers markets and online. Saturdays at Brickworks Farmers Market, Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue. Sundays at Leslieville Farmers Market, Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Avenue. Seasons and indoor moves are on our Locations page.
When do you deliver, and what is the minimum order?
We deliver across Toronto on Friday afternoons and evenings, between 3pm and 9pm, all year round. Order by Wednesday for that week's delivery. The minimum order is $20, delivery is free over $39, otherwise $6.99 outside our core Willowdale postal codes.
How fresh are your greens really?
Cut and delivered within 24 hours. We harvest to order rather than to stock, so nothing sits in a cooler waiting for a buyer. That is why ours snap instead of bending.
Are your greens organic?
They are grown with no pesticides and no herbicides, in a climate-controlled indoor farm in Toronto. We are not certified organic and we do not describe ourselves that way. Certification is a specific audited standard that we have not gone through.
How much are your microgreens?
Every microgreen is $8 a clamshell. Standard and mixed varieties are 50g; specialty varieties are 30g because they yield less per tray. Leafy greens are $7 and cucumbers are $2 each or 3 for $5.
What is in the Assorted Microgreens pack?
A 50g mix of pea shoot, sunflower and radish microgreens, plus a seasonal specialty variety chosen that week. It is the cheapest way to try several at once, and the specialty portion changes through the year.
Our vegan dressings
Are your dressings vegan?
Yes, all of them, and the ketchup too. We make five dressings in small batches in Toronto: classic vinaigrette, sesame ginger, vegan caesar, ranch dill and maple dijon. No dairy and no eggs in any of them.
How can a caesar dressing be vegan?
A traditional caesar depends on anchovy and egg yolk. Ours replaces both. Toasted nori brings the savoury sea note the anchovy would, nutritional yeast stands in for the parmesan, and cashews give the body that egg yolk would. Capers, dijon and lemon do the sharpness.
What is in the vegan caesar dressing?
Cashews, avocado oil, water, capers, toasted nori, garlic, salt, pepper, dijon mustard, lemon juice and nutritional yeast. Nothing else. We use avocado oil rather than canola or soy, which is part of why it tastes cleaner than a bottled dressing.
Do your dressings contain nuts?
The vegan caesar contains cashews, a tree nut. If you are avoiding nuts, check the jar for the dressing you are buying, as ingredients differ between them. Every jar carries its full ingredient list.
Which dressing should I start with?
Sesame ginger. It is our best seller and the most versatile, good on greens, noodles and roasted vegetables. Classic vinaigrette is the everyday one, vegan caesar is the one people come back for, and maple dijon is the sweetest.
How long do the dressings keep, and do they need refrigerating?
Refrigerate them and use within about four weeks of opening. They contain no preservatives, which is why they are made in small batches and why the flavour is brighter than a shelf-stable bottle. Shake before pouring, as the oil separates.
What is the jar return program?
Dressings come in glass jars with a $2 deposit. Bring the clean jar back to either market and we refund the deposit or credit your next purchase. It keeps the glass in use rather than in the recycling.
Other questions
Do you have a loyalty program?
Yes, at the markets. Sign up with your phone number at the stall and you collect points on every purchase. Members spend meaningfully more per visit than non-members, so it is worth joining on your first trip.
Do you grow anything besides microgreens?
Yes. Leafy greens including salad mix, arugula, spinach, kale, romaine and bok choy, plus cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and sugar snap peas. Everything is grown in the same indoor farm in Toronto.