Microgreens are one of South Dakota's unique year-round crops. Celebrate these edible seedlings at the upcoming Mighty Microgreens Superfood Event with Dakota Fresh Food Hub, a farmer-owned collective that markets and distributes local foods in Southeast South Dakota. Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean restaurant in Sioux Falls will host the event on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Microgreens are newly sprouted vegetables and herbs that have grown just enough to display the plant's first true leaves. They are full of flavor and nutrition and used to enhance dishes with their unique appearance and texture.
This 'Fresher is Fun' event is the fifth of eight retail events in the state promoting the purchase of South Dakota-grown specialty crops. Specialty crops include fresh produce and other products like jellies, pickles, honey, nuts, flowers, and more.
The free festival will take place at 401 E. 8th St., Unit 100 in Sioux Falls (8th and Railroad). Attendees can look forward to sampling microgreens, including broccoli, radish, onion, corn, and sunflower. Sanaa's will provide a small appetizer utilizing micros.
Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean is a popular eatery in Sioux Falls that focuses on fresh, healthy, and local foods. They are a regular customer of Dakota Fresh Food Hub and will showcase microgreens as a healthy addition to the everyday diet.
Kids can enjoy seed pack kits to plant their own micros. There will be information about the health benefits of microgreens, how to incorporate them into your own recipes, and how to purchase them locally through Dakota Fresh Food Hub. There will also be giveaways that allow the winners to grow their own nutritious sprouts and microgreens at home.
The event will feature Dakota Fresh producers Little Greens Microgreens and SoDak Greens. Little Greens Microgreens of Sioux Falls, SD, sells full trays of cut and packaged micros to restaurants, caterers, local grocery stores, and individuals. SoDak Greens of Bruce, SD, brings fresh hydroponic salad greens and microgreens to the region. Visit with producers to learn about their products, how to order, and the benefits of microgreens.
Dakota Fresh Food Hub is made up of producers within a 100-mile radius of Sioux Falls and offers year-round, weekly ordering to customers. Their online marketplace provides one-stop shopping for local fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, eggs, honey, personal care items, and more. It is free to join Dakota Fresh as a customer, and no weekly obligations or purchase minimums are required. Pick-up is available in Sioux Falls and Brookings.
Join Dakota Fresh to learn about microgreens and how you can buy local produce year-round. These locally-grown products are fresh, flavorful, and fun, and when you buy them, you are supporting producers, retailers, and restaurants who support our local economy.
Three additional Fresher is Fun events will occur in 2024 in Nisland, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls. The event is sponsored by the S.D. Specialty Producers Association through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program overseen by the S.D. Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Source: sdspecialtyproducers.org