After having worked on it for the last couple of years, California-based Spinaca Farms officially launched its 'Root to Shoot' program last year. The program aims to utilize more plant material that might be left over from harvesting and use it to create new products in what is termed as the 'functional foods' market.
Functional foods include such products as meal replacement mixes, protein bars, pet food, and sports drinks. According to Zack Andrade of Spinaca Farms, imperfect produce, leaves, roots, stems and other parts of vegetable plants can potentially be used for such foods. "“Overlooked but equally nutritious parts of the plant are better suited to be used in powders, purees and juices because those fresh market aesthetics don’t translate to the finished product," he said. "Now when I see a broccoli field after harvest, I see the ability to convert it into the nutritious foods our customers deserve.”
Zack Andrade inspects his crop
About the program
Spinaca Farms has made agreements with growers in the region to collect and process their 'leftover' plant material, which it then turns into various functional food products. They use organic produce and the whole process requires USDA and FDA approval. The technology they use is fairly specific, but nothing too revolutionary.
"We started the program in 2015, the first harvest was in 2016, and to give us time to work out the kinks, we started marketing it in 2017," Andrade explained. "Some of the equipment on the harvesting side has been repurposed, but as for final product there are only a few companies in the US with the technology to make the end product cost effectively."
"We supply the end product and encourage growers to work with us to reap the benefits of the program as it gives them more options beyond the fresh and frozen markets," he continued. "Currently we are primarily supported by West Coast and regional supply, but the goal is to work with farmers nationwide."
The first step of the process after harvest
Cost benefits and reducing waste
There are two primary goals in promoting the Root to Shoot program. One is the goal of reducing food waste and encourage greater utilization of plant materials. According to Andrade, there is a growing market for functional foods and he sees the program as providing products for that market. “Spinaca's desire to utilize all edible portions of the plant is about moving the ‘waste-not-want-not’ philosophy forward using our modern food production system to unlock new revenue streams for farmers and supply the functional foods market with the nutritious products consumers want and deserve,” he said. "The functional foods market will grow as fast as the consumer’s tastes and preferences change. Current demand is increasing as fast as the availability of domestic products are coming to market."
By utilizing more of the plant, it leads to the second goal of the program - to provide additional revenue for farmers. With growing and labor costs creating issues for many growers, such initiatives can be very appealing. "The Root to Shoot program maximizes crop utility for American farmers while supplying high-quality domestic vegetable products to the rapidly expanding functional foods market," Andrade said. "This approach to field utility benefits America’s farmers who are experiencing tighter profit margins while meeting the demands of the functional food market for more nutrient-rich domestic ingredients."
For more information:
Zack Andrade
Spinaca Farms
Tel: +1 (805) 423-5940