Sprouting ideas
Greens boost brain power
Some Kiwi businesses are fighting back against the boring sandwiches and microwave meals lunch culture, by growing their own greens for a healthier workplace.
Film industry data analytics firm Movio and incentive firm Extra Mile Company, sowed microgreens and sprouting seeds to trial an innovative way to boost staff wellness.
Microgreens are baby vegetable and herb leaves which scientists say are four to six times richer in vitamin C and other antioxidants per gram than many fully-gown vegetables, but they are harvested when they are about 5cm tall. Added to salads and sprinkled on sandwiches, they can improve nutrition.
A study by the British Journal of Psychology in 2014, suggested that what workers ate for lunch affected productivity and mood. The more vegetables and fruit employees ate, the more happy, engaged and creative they were at work.
Movio’s talent and culture manager Callie Ewin said the Auckland-based company already offered fresh fruit, weekly yoga classes and a running club, but were keen to try new things.
The company linked up with Kings Seeds in Katikati who were looking for businesses to take part in their ‘‘Growing Green’’ trial. Kings Seeds sent Movio special kits to start growing microgreens and sprouts. A few days later, the kits were already producing their first crop of delicious food.
Ewin said: ‘‘We are a relatively healthy company and are always open to trying new things, particularly if it contributes to staff wellness.
‘‘Our team loved the microgreens
One of our corporate values is to support staff health and wellness. Eugene DeVilliers, Chief Executive, Extra Mile Company.
and we left a pair of scissors next to them so everyone could simply help themselves. Staff would put them on sandwiches, on their salads and add them to their soup.
‘‘The sprouts were also really popular and staff would just take a handful as a snack.
‘‘They also added a bit of greenery to the office and made for a great talking point around the kitchen bench.’’
Extra Mile Company’s chief executive Eugene DeVilliers said: ‘‘We jumped at the opportunity to put into practice one of ourcorporate values and that is to support staff health and wellness. I think watching them grow in the office made us all aware of what we are putting into our mouths, and how easy it is to make healthy lunch choices.’’
Kings Seeds‘ co-owner, Barbara Martin, said Healthy Eating Day on November 2 was a good time for businesses to start talking about staff productivity in a different way.
‘‘Microgreens and sprouts are a nutritious, low-cost option for businesses to demonstrate to staff that their health and wellbeing is important to them.’’