The Benefit of Locally Grown
When we talk about “fresh” food, most of us picture crisp leaves, vibrant colour, and something that looks just-picked.
But freshness goes far beyond how something looks. It directly impacts the nutritional value of what you’re eating.
What Happens Before It Reaches Your Plate?
For most supermarket produce, the journey is longer than you might expect.
Many leafy greens are harvested before they are fully ripe, then:
🍃 Transported across countries or continents
🍃 Stored in chilled environments for days or weeks
🍃 Packaged and distributed through multiple supply chains
🍃 Finally placed on shelves before making it into your fridge
During this time, the natural nutrients inside the plant begin to degrade.
Vitamins like Vitamin C and certain B vitamins are particularly sensitive and can decline significantly the longer produce is stored.
So while it may still look fresh, nutritionally, it’s not at its peak.
Why Time = Nutrient Loss
The moment a plant is harvested, it begins to change.
Without its root system, it no longer receives nutrients or water. Instead, it starts using up what it has stored.
The longer the time between harvest and consumption, the more nutritional value is lost.
That means two identical leaves can offer very different benefits depending on how fresh they truly are.
At Crate to Plate, we’ve built our entire growing system around one simple idea...
Our leafy greens are grown hydroponically right here in London, in a controlled environment where we can carefully manage every stage of growth.
This allows us to harvest at peak maturity, deliver produce within days not weeks, eliminate long storage and transport periods and maintain consistent quality all year round!
Fresher produce doesn’t just taste better, it offers more...
🌱 Higher nutrient retention
🌱 Better flavour and texture
🌱 No need for preservatives
🌱 Grown without pesticides
It’s a simple shift, but one that makes a real difference to how you experience your food.
Click below to explore our range of freshly harvested greens, mushrooms, sauces and dressings, all grown and made in the heart of the city 🏙️
