Microgreens offer up big nutrition
Stoned Epicureans sells to area schools, restaurants
FORT SMITH — Arkansas’ first commercially licensed urban farm is in the basement of Fort Smith’s Bakery District, and it’s providing microgreens for area schools and restaurants.
Jen Blumthal, a farmer and owner of Stoned Epicureans, said she started growing the microgreens in her house during the pandemic both for a hobby and because her garden had previously flooded.
Microgreens are vegetables harvested a couple weeks after planting, when their leaves have just developed. They are used as a visual and texture enhancement to meals, providing an added sweetness or spiciness to a dish.
An epicurean is a person devoted to sensual enjoyment, especially obtained from good food or drinks.
“The great thing about microgreens is they’re working off of nutrition that’s already available to them in the seed. We don’t add any fertilizer, we don’t add any pesticides, we don’t have any chemicals. We are non GMO and organic seeds. So all the nutrition that’s there is what gets transferred to us,” Blumthal said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture website states urban agriculture allows for the development of a variety of environmental, economic and social benefits to the surrounding communities, including reduced transportation costs, reduced runoff associated with heavy rainfall and better air quality.
Blumthal said farming indoors also allows her to control the climate and grow crops year round, when they otherwise wouldn’t be available.
She said she started selling microgreens at area farmers markets and for restaurants, including the Stone House at Chaffee Crossing, before reaching out to area schools to see if they would be interested. Fort Smith Public Schools started last fall, followed by Pine Bluff and Mena schools, she said.
“We’re the first farm-toschool partner,” Blumthal said about Fort Smith schools. “So it’s an honor and a privilege and super cool, because it’s the first on so many levels.”
Once a week, the middle and high schools are delivered a one-pound mix of arugula, broccoli, cabbage, kale and kohlrabi for their salad bars.
Blumthal said Fort Smith is considering doubling its order because more students have been trying and enjoying the greens.
“We’ve got to start showing kids that your food comes not necessarily in a chicken nugget shape. Food is cool, and it’s interesting, and it’s really good for you, and it’s beautiful, and it’s colorful, and you can enjoy it. It doesn’t have to be icky. And that’s what fostering good relationships, especially with kids and their nutrition, helps them to grow up with good ideas in their head about nutrition and having healthy relationships with food,” Blumthal said.
Blumthal said Stoned Epicureans has been in the basement of the Bakery District, located on South Seventh Street downtown, for over a year. She said the microgreens grow on 10 racks and
produce 36 to 50 pounds a week, but there’s space for 40 racks that could produce several hundred pounds of food.
The space will come in handy for the business, because starting Feb. 19, Stoned Epicureans is providing microgreens to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith food pantry, Blumthal said.
The university’s website states the pantry started as a blessing box in 2019 before giving out food bags during the pandemic. It said the pantry is located inside the school’s Recreation and Wellness Center, and eligible patrons can visit the pantry once per week for food, school supplies, and household or personal care items.
The pantry is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
“I’m an alumnus there, graduated in 2010 with my biology degree, and I’m just really excited to be able to give back. I remember having to eat ramen in college, and it sucked,” Blumthal said.
Dave Stevens, dean of students at the university, said they are proud to support their alumni while offering healthy food options through the pantry.
Monica Brich may be reached by email at mbrich@rivervalleydemocratgazette.com.