Tara and Joseph Horat own and operate Mountain Microgreens in Sonora. Their products are a unique fresh addition to our produce department. We asked Tara to tell us about their products and business.
Who are you & what inspired you to start your microgreens business in Tuolumne County?
We’re a family-run farm based here in Tuolumne County, operating under Mountain Microgreens. What started as a simple way to grow healthier food for our own family turned into something bigger. After seeing the impact fresh, nutrient-dense foods had on our health, we felt called to share that with our community. We wanted to provide something local, clean, and truly beneficial especially for families who care about what they’re putting in their bodies.
What is your mission and vision for the company?
Our mission is to provide fresh, nutrient-dense microgreens that support overall health and make it easy for people to add real, living food into their daily meals. Our vision is to grow a community around clean eating, local farming, and sustainable practices while making high-quality food accessible right here in our area.
What varieties of microgreens do you grow?
We grow a variety of fresh, flavorful microgreens including Pea shoots, Sunflower, Broccoli, Radish, Salad mixes and seasonal varieties including cilantro and lettuce.
What are the benefits of eating microgreens?
Microgreens are packed with nutrients often containing higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than mature vegetables. Adding just a handful to your meals can help support immune health, reduce inflammation, boost energy, support digestion and add fresh flavor and texture to meals. They’re one of the easiest ways to upgrade your diet without changing your whole routine. Plus they have up to 40x more nutrients than their mature veggies.
How do you ensure the quality and freshness of your microgreens?
We grow everything locally in small batches and harvest fresh to order. Our greens are always fresh upon pick up or delivery. At farmers markets we harvest fresh as well. This ensures our greens are vibrant, flavorful, and full of nutrients when they reach you. We focus on clean growing practices, proper sanitation, and careful handling from seed to harvest to maintain the highest quality. We use all organic soil and seed as well.
What growing methods do you use?
We grow our microgreens using clean, soil-based methods with a focus on organic practices. Our setup allows us to control the environment to produce consistent, healthy crops year-round. We prioritize quality over quantity and keep everything as natural and clean as possible.
Besides the Depot, where can people find your products?
In addition to being available at Nature’s Whole Food Depot, we also participate in local farmer’s markets and events throughout the season. We love connecting with the community and giving people a chance to see, taste, and learn about microgreens in person.
What are your future goals for the business?
Our goal is to continue growing while staying true to our roots providing high-quality, local food for our community. We’re working toward expanding our production, offering more consistent availability, and building long-term relationships with local families and businesses.
