Innovation

Nama Microgreens is a social enterprise that helps people in Manila grow their own food in limited urban spaces. The founders, Eldrin Lee, and Skyrene Bacalso aim to promote sustainability and awareness of where our food comes from. Nama aims to solve the two core issues through its strong focus on urban farming, which aims to maximize the limited space found in cityscapes to grow crops. Nama’s application of this technique is primarily focused on microgreens, which are the “baby” variants of vegetables. These micro greens are generally regarded as healthier than their adult counterparts, being packed with more nutrients and minerals. Since the last meeting with Nama, the company has put more of its focus on expanding its food selection.

Given the social enterprise’s success with micro greens and gaining more traction with new clients and expanding its operations, Currently, Nama offers these few products: cosmos, zinnia, blue peas, and marigolds. Nama is experimenting with these products in limited quantities. Nama is pivoting to increase the selection of its offerings to include edible flowers, with mushrooms coming in at a much later date. These latest additions are chosen for their anti-oxidant properties when ingested. Edible flowers have anti-oxidant properties that do not dissolve when coursing through the digestive system remains, hence it is more readily absorbed by the body than the anti-oxidants broken down with their health benefits negated (Chen et al., 2015). Apart from being rich in anti-oxidant compounds. Edible flowers are also packed with vitamins A, B - complex, and C vitamins (Khokar, 2023). Edible flowers are rich in phytochemicals (Benvenuti & Mazzoncini, 2021).

Inspiration

Nama Microgeen is a social enterprise founded to tackle two urging issues, the destruction of our ecosystem for agriculture and challenges associated with hidden hunger. The first issue is the controversy surrounding our agricultural industry is that we are destroying our natural environment to feed our population. The conversion of the natural beauty of the Philippines to farmland is still one of the biggest drivers of deforestation in the Philippines. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (2020), the forest cover in the Philippines declined from 21.9 million hectares in 1990 to 7.2 million hectares in 2015, representing a loss of around 67 percent of the original forest. However, a finding by Pendrill et al. (2022), states that agriculture is responsible for a majority of deforestation in tropical countries, which includes the Philippines. However, surprisingly this increase in deforestation does not lead to an equivalent level of increase in crop production, with only 40% to 60% of these deforestations for agriculture leading to tangible crop harvest.

The second issue Nama would wish to solve is hidden hunger. Lowe (2021) defines hidden hunger as a deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals circulating in our system even if we take a high-energy diet. The issue of hidden hunger is prevalent in our modern society given the variety of food that may or may not contain these essential nutrients. This issue is most prevalent among children. In the Philippines 1 out of 3 children, ages one to two, are afflicted with permanently stunted growth due to nutrient deficiencies (UNICEF, 2019). As of 2019, the Philippines suffers from a 28.8% stunting rate among its children (European Commission, 2021).

Nama aims to change that through the use of urban farming techniques. Nama has a selection of 12 microgreens, which are baby vegetables currently in circulation. With success in its microgreen selection, Nama is expanding its selection from microgreens to flowers, and mushrooms in the near future. In the same vein, these products also carry with them a high nutritional value that can be grown in limited spaces. Nama’s aim is to be able to quickly expand its offerings to be able to offer its customer base with a diverse selection of crops to pick from that will match the recipes its customers need most, while keeping the nutritional value Nama strives to deliver.

Nama Microgreens’s key SDG goal includes SDG 2: zero hunger, SDG 3: good health and well-being, SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12: responsible for consumption and production, SDG 13: climate action, and SDG 15: life on land.

Nama aims to tackle the issue of SDG 2 - hidden hunger in various social classes, particularly in those who have comorbidities such as diabetes or high cholesterol. By cultivating and selling microgreens, which are packed with vitamins and minerals, Nama hopes to provide a healthier option for these groups while also making their products more accessible to a wider range of people.

Nama's primary goal is to promote microgreens as a superfood that can improve overall health and well-being. This aligns with SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being.

As an urban farming company, Nama supports SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting the idea that it is possible for people in urban environments to grow their own food. Microgreens, which are easy to grow in small spaces, can contribute to the promotion of sustainable living.

Nama addresses SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production by offering a solution to the lack of nutrients in common vegetables. Microgreens are a nutrient-rich alternative to other greens, and by promoting their consumption, Nama is encouraging responsible and healthy eating habits.

By promoting awareness of where food comes from, Nama supports SDG 13 - Climate Action. Urban farming can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, and by encouraging people to be mindful of their food consumption, Nama hopes to reduce food waste and promote sustainability.

Nama's promoting urban farming and raising awareness of its benefits align with SDG 15 - Life on Land. By encouraging people to be self-sufficient in their own spaces, less land will need to be cleared for agriculture, which can have a significant negative impact on the environment.

Overall impact

Nama prioritizes sustainability in its business operations and aims to promote inclusivity by expanding its customer base beyond the upper-middle class and middle class. The company is committed to addressing the issue of hidden hunger, which is a lack of essential nutrients in daily diets. Nama produces and sells microgreens, which are nutrient-dense and beneficial to health, and aims to make them more accessible to people from all social classes.

Nama Microgeen's social enterprise has the potential to have a substantial influence on the Philippines' environment and public health. Nama is addressing two major issues by encouraging urban farming techniques: the depletion of the country's natural resources as a result of agriculture and the issue of hidden hunger. Nama wishes to expand its products to create a more extensive catalog giving customers more options for their food. With that, more food options available means greater chances of promoting the idea and culture that Nama encourages. Additionally, Nama employs a method that eliminates the requirement for enormous swaths of land to be cleared for farming while simultaneously promoting sustainable agriculture techniques. Making various processes of sustainable farming easier, removing limitations and creating newer incentives for customers to start becoming more sustainable in their lifestyles are all part of Nama's goals. The utilization of urban farming techniques also has the potential to lessen the Philippines' reliance on imported food and increase food security.

Nama is also tackling the issue of hidden hunger among children in the Philippines by providing high-nutrient crops. Nama's food contains vitamins and minerals that are vital for healthy growth and development. The availability of these crops may help to lessen the rate of stunted growth in children in the Philippines, hence improving their general health and well-being. The challenges regarding hunger in low-income areas can be potentially solved through more sustainable farming practices as exemplified by Nama. The continuous innovation being pursued by Nama is a statement of their mission and vision which highlights the need for improvement of our food system.

Collectively, Nama's social enterprise also has the ability to stimulate economic growth in local areas. They may help small-scale farmers and encourage sustainable agriculture methods by sourcing their produce from local farms. This could result in employment creation and contribute to the region's general economic prosperity. As a way to further support farmers, there can be partnerships that teach people knowledge and wisdom regarding farming and its various concepts which can help customers produce better crops.

Business benefit

The founders of Nama Microgreens have a progressive vision to expand their business and promote healthy living through their microgreens products to a wider audience. Their innovations not only enhance the company's sustainability branding but also attract new markets. According to Eldrin Lee, Nama refrains from using pesticides or strong chemicals in the production process and relies on natural ingredients and agricultural practices to preserve nutrients and prevent contamination of the plant, soil, and water. Urban farming not only contributes to the accessibility of affordable and fresh produce but also encourages healthy eating habits. Lee believes that urban farming is not the ultimate solution but could help address the unsustainable practices of the agricultural industry and promote self-sufficiency in urban farming. These factors have contributed to the increased demand for Nama's microgreens, which could lead to more regular consumers beyond restaurants, cafes, and chefs. The business and the founders' advocacy for nutrition and healthy consumption align well with Nama's sustainable branding and its commitment to preserving the local ecosystem.

Furthermore, the concept of microgreens paves the way for a new type of food consumption and production. Since the company sells kits to grow various vegetables, customers who continuously purchase from Nama will sooner or later become independent from buying vegetables from local producers in grocery stores or wet markets. This innovation is tied to the company’s sustainability goal and gives Nama a competitive advantage as it is a direct substitute for groceries. Moreover, the concept of healthy living and eating healthy is growing evermore prevalent in today’s society. With the growth of Nama in the number of products it offers and the scale of its business, demand for its products will surely grow.

In addition, the concept of Nama selling planting kits to its customers also adds to the low barrier of entry towards this business as the company does not have to invest large amounts of capital to buy land and build farms. This business model and product innovation allow Nama to still compete in the agricultural market without having to set up infrastructure such as large plots of land to create farms. Instead, the company utilizes vertical farming techniques which allow for higher product yield for smaller plots of land as opposed to a traditional farm that only has one layer of planting. This innovation will help Nama continue to grow its product offerings while also allowing for inexpensive ways to expand its operations.

Nama also invested in the development of its mushrooms and flowers. These are new product offerings that expand the company’s clientele as many fine dining restaurants are always looking for edible flowers to add as garnish to their dishes. Additionally, edible flowers, similar to microgreens, hold immense nutritional value. Another market Nama hopes to target with these edible flowers is the chronically ill and those who are on specific diets as the nutrients in these flowers can be easily transferred to these individuals. By offering these different product choices, Nama can continue to grow its customer base as the company now doesn’t rely on the end user as its main source of sales but now the company sells to businesses such as fine dining restaurants, cafes, and pastry shops. Adding that B2B revenue stream will be beneficial to the company’s long-term growth.

Social and environmental benefit

Over the past year, Nama has experienced significant growth in terms of client acquisition and product offerings. Lee mentions, that they have managed to expand their team by hiring 1-2 part-timers and increasing the variety of products that they now offer. As a result, they have been able to attract new clients and receive requests for further expansion of our offerings. The next step for Nama is expanding their product line even further to meet the growing demand. Based on customer feedback, Nama is considering refurbishing their grow kit line to provide better-quality products. Additionally, they are exploring the possibility of creating a product with a longer shelf life and fast-moving potential that aligns with their strategies for booths and bazaars. One of the products Nama had hoped to introduce was mushrooms, which they intended to use for composting. Unfortunately, this offering has not yet come to market, but Nama has found a new alternative that they are currently exploring and expanding. Nama’s aim is to ensure that all their products are environmentally friendly and committed to finding sustainable solutions. An example of this would be the reduction of packaging by using the return tray model, making ways to ensure both parties reduce packaging costs.

Lee brought up that Nama faced difficulties with their previous supplier for edible flowers, which led to a two-month delay in their supply. However, they have now found a reliable partner, although the range of offerings they provide is limited. Nonetheless, Nama is working with what is available to them to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of their clients.

Nama Microgreens is dedicated to providing high-quality products that meet the needs of clients. Nama also provides awareness and access to farm fresh produce in order to serve nutritious superfoods to people with chronic illnesses. Nama is constantly looking for ways to improve offerings and will continue to explore new product lines and suppliers to ensure that Nama will maintain the high standards of the public eye. Nama has been able to give income that’s higher than minimum wage to its part-timers. In addition, their partnership with local flower farmers allows them to give them another income stream. Moving forward, Nama is committed to remaining environmentally conscious and will continue to seek out sustainable solutions for its products, which will lead to continued growth and success of the business. Nama is grateful for the support of its clients and partners.

Interview

Eldrin Lee, Co-Founder