Wed Sep 25 03:21:20 UTC 2024: ## From City Shoes to Supermarkets: Mother-Daughter Duo Grow Microgreen Empire
**Te Puke, New Zealand** – Yu Kali and Yu Jiang, a mother-daughter duo, have traded in city life for a flourishing microgreen empire, proving that a little bit of land and a lot of passion can lead to big success.
Two years ago, the pair started Mama Kali’s Farm, growing nutrient-rich microgreens in a small greenhouse on the outskirts of Te Puke. With no farming experience and limited resources, they chose microgreens as their niche crop, citing their affordability and ease of cultivation. “Traditional farming, it’s just not realistic. We don’t have machinery, we don’t have that much land,” Yu Jiang explained.
Starting with just a few trays, their initial sales were at farmers’ markets in Hamilton and Tauranga. They were surprised by the overwhelming demand for microgreens, with customers appreciating their nutritional value and versatility. “We have people that love them and they eat them every day, and they said, ‘Oh, can’t live without it in my sandwich,'” Jiang said.
Today, Mama Kali’s Farm boasts a purpose-built 72 square meter greenhouse and packing shed, supplying over 2000 packs of microgreens weekly to 30 supermarkets across Aotearoa. They have even hired a full-time employee to keep up with the demand.
Kali’s journey from selling shoes in China to becoming a successful farmer has been an unexpected but rewarding one. She credits her love of nature and gardening for the venture, noting that it was a “dream come true” to finally have the space to cultivate plants after years of living in cramped apartments.
Their family dynamic has also flourished alongside their business, with Kali and Jiang finding a balance between their individual strengths and weaknesses. “Always fighting!” Kali laughed. “I feel like me and Mum definitely [have come] a long way from the beginning, understanding each other’s, like, strengths and weaknesses, and I guess compromising as well. Of course, Mum always comes on top, because [she’s] your mother!”
Mama Kali’s Farm is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and family bonds. Their story serves as an inspiration for anyone dreaming of pursuing a passion, no matter how small the beginning.
First Piper 