Pandemic the perfect time to launch microgreen business
With more time on his hands, a Heidelberg teen jumps into the food production industry
HEIDELBERG — When COVID-19 began spreading across the province, shutting down businesses and keeping people indoors, Logan Brideau saw this as the perfect opportunity to launch a new business.
The 15-year-old had been sitting on the idea for more than a year, but in juggling school work and practicing with the KW Glee team, there hadn’t been any time to get it off the ground.
When the spread of the new coronavirus pressed pause on life as we knew it, Brideau got to work establishing his business, growing and selling microgreens under the brand name Logan’s Harvest.
After school was cancelled, “I just had all this time,” he said. He used that time to order trays, soil, seed and grow lights and set up a mini grow-space in his parent’s basement. Before he knew it, he had three sales and a budding new venture.
Leveraging the power of social media, he started taking orders on Facebook and Instagram under the handle @LogansHarvest. Offering delivery or pickup, it wasn’t long before his customer base expanded and so did the basement grow-space, jumping from 15 trays to 70.
For Brideau, starting up the business was learned through trial and error.
“I’m a hands-on learner. I just kind of figure things out as I go.”
After waiting a month and a half for his second order of seeds to come in due to pandemic-related delays, he settled on offering 10 varieties including beets, buckwheat and basil, creating his own signature mixes. Last week he began selling his greens at Central Fresh Market in Kitchener.
Produce manager Jamie Burton said most of the 18 packages sold, which is a good sign for such a new product. The grocery store carries another brand of microgreens grown locally. Burton said this kind of product is versatile but has a short shelf life.
Customers really value produce that comes from local growers, he said. The fact that he can pick up the phone and give Brideau a call if customers have questions really resonates with shoppers.
On June 27, Logan’s Harvest microgreens will be sold at the Elmira Farmers’ Market. Allan Martin, market manager, said he was pleased to add Brideau to his list of vendors.
“I have a lot of good words to say about him with the ambition he’s got for starting a business right now.”
Brideau said the forced pause brought on by COVID-19 allowed him to start his business earlier than expected. He was planning on launching this summer.
With hopes of eventually selling at restaurants, he’s making the most of the time he has away from his Glee crew, away from the stage. If the microgreens continue to succeed, he’d like to take on a new challenge — growing mushrooms.
“It’s rewarding and it makes me happy,” he said.
“I’m a hands-on learner. I just kind of figure things out as I go.”
LOGAN BRIDEAU
@LOGANSHARVEST