Amaranth Harvest for Iyé Creative’s Culturally Relevant Crop Project

Posted on Wednesday, 7 August 2024 under Stories

We are growing four varieties of Amaranth at our Sandown plot in partnership with Iyé Creative’s Culturally Relevant Crop Project. Amaranth holds significant cultural, nutritional and agricultural importance. Cultivated for thousands of years with Mesoamerican, Caribbean and West African roots, amaranth is considered a staple food in many regions due to its high protein content and adaptability to different climates. It can be used both as a leafy green when harvested young, or as a seed (similar to Buckwheat or Quinoa) rich in essential nutrients such as iron and calcium when harvested after flowering.

Amaranth is a resilient crop that can thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, offering an adaptable and sustainable solution for regions facing environmental challenges such as drought, and nutrient-deficient soils. Amaranth’s beauty lies in its ability to not only nourish and sustain, but also in its vibrant and colourful floral blooms, ranging from deep reds to bright yellows and greens.

At the end of July, we harvested the young leaves of three varieties of amaranth (Red Calaloo, Copperhead and Sokoyokoto Celosia) to include in the Good Food Box’s bi-weekly program and planted a second succession of two varieties in the soil. We are excited to be part of this project and for the yield to come.