Healthy Habits: Organiponic

Last year, organic food sales reached $43.3 billion, in large part due to the number of Farmers Markets doubling over the last decade. This represents a growing trend for millions of Americans in prioritizing eating farm-to-table. To Organiponic and its in-home grow systems, farm and table can be one and the same. With the goal of transforming the way people garden, cook, and eat organic produce, Organiponic has engineered a 12, 16, and 24 plant system for in-home gardening and plans to sell units alongside a subscription-based “grow kit” to provide quality lettuces, greens, and herbs throughout the year. Check out more about how the Organiponic system works here. 

 I had a chance to interview CEO Andy Dewey to learn more.

1 -What are the benefits of being able to have fresh vegetables at home instead of store-bought?

 As per Stanford scientists, even the so-called safer organic food bought from stores has been known to be laden with Salmonella and E-Coli bacteria. Since you will grow at home and do not have to package food before it reaches your doorstep, possibility of such contamination is completely erased. You can immediately eat it once you have grown it. Besides, while store bought produce can cost you over $2.5 for a single head of lettuce or other plants, using Organiponic systems will bring down that cost to around $0.70 per head. It is also a great tool for educating young children about the benefits of gardening at home where they can enjoy seeing those plants grow. Some stores may not have fresh produce year round due to external factors such as environment or other economic factors. With Organiponic systems, you get fresh produce all year round.

​2 - What are some of the easiest vegetables to grow and incorporate in a family dinner?

Kale, Chard, Lettuce, Arugula, ​Mint, Basil.

3 - How can parents get picky eaters on board with extra veggies? 

If children can be made to get involved in the growing process, they are more likely to eat what they have grown. Having Organiponic systems both at home and school will aid in that process. The fun of learning to grow with their own hands and the joy of seeing the fully grown plants will motivate picky eaters to also consume them.

4 - How does the Organiponic system make it easier to have fresh veggies at home?

Organiponic systems have features specifically designed with the end-user in mind, namely low price, ease of use and clean-up, and low ongoing cost for seeds & nutrients, etc. allowing for approximately 75% savings on fresh quality produce. The systems which have been designed with few moving parts work under both natural and artificial light - LED lights, and are durable and long lasting. These systems provide continuous produce meaning little or no downtime waiting for new plants to grow. Consumers have four systems to choose from - (1) Kitchen Counter Garden (a large and small size): 12-16 plants, (2) Table-Top Garden: 24 plants, (3) Wall Garden: 12 plants, and (4) A Floor Garden for full-size tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. Moreover, the systems recycle water (90% less water is needed) and only use $0.25 of electricity per month.