After many years of research, Algen Markt has been offering raw, German-grown spirulina since 2018. Following the holistic concept of whole-food nutrition, the German spirulina is produced sustainably and with resource conservation in mind, from cultivation and harvesting to marketing. With the successful cultivation of spirulina in Germany, this algae has become a locally grown, wholesome food for us.
Whole food nutrition
Whole food nutrition focuses on the four areas of sustainable development by... health, economic, environmental and social aspects The focus is on whole foods. At the same time, the primary goal is the desire for enjoyable nutrition that also demonstrates responsibility towards oneself, others, and the planet. Within the framework of whole foods nutrition, seven principles are defined, which we aim to align with in our product range.
Enjoyable foods:
Algae can be incorporated into your diet in a variety of ways. Since delicious and balanced meals are important to us too, we want to inspire you to prepare food in a pleasurable way with our recipe suggestions. Although algae have a rather salty-umami flavor, they can also be wonderfully integrated into sweet dishes like smoothies or baked goods. They also make a perfect topping for pasta, rice, or salad dishes. If you're looking for inspiration for suitable products, feel free to visit our blog or check out our Instagram page (https://instagram.com/algenmarkt).
preference for plant-based foods
We also recognize the benefits of a plant-based diet. That's why all our products – whether 100% algae or handcrafted – are completely vegan.
Whole-food nutrition focuses primarily on health and environmental benefits. The density of fiber, vitamins, and minerals is significantly higher in plant-based foods , and their intake contributes to a healthy lifestyle in the long term. For example, algae have a high content of iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Preference for minimally processed foods
Our spirulina, chlorella, and dulse are made from 100% algae – making them pure and wholesome products. We also prioritize minimal processing by gently drying our algae to preserve the highest possible level of essential nutrients. Similarly, our handcrafted algae products utilize valuable ingredients and are manufactured to a minimally processed standard.
Organically produced food
Organic farming makes a significant contribution to environmental protection by conserving resources and reducing the burden of harmful substances and emissions on nature. Therefore, almost all of our products are certified according to the new EU organic regulation . This applies not only to the algae themselves but also to additional ingredients, such as those found in our granola. Furthermore, we focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly production of our regional German spirulina, adhering to strict quality standards.
Regional and seasonal food
Both our German spirulina powder and German spirulina sprinkles are grown and processed regionally at our partner farm in Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia . This allows us to keep production distances as short as possible, resulting in fewer environmentally harmful emissions compared to conventional supply chains.
Environmentally friendly packaging
The production, processing, and disposal of plastic packaging are very resource-intensive. We want to counteract this and sell our products in "I'm green" paper bags. These are part of the dual recycling system. Furthermore, refill packs are available for our spirulina tablets, so resource consumption is minimized and the violet glass jars can be reused sustainably.
Fair trade food
We also want to establish greater social sustainability by building and maintaining fair trade relationships. For example, we source our solidarity-based spirulina from a smallholder monastery in Burkina Faso. Purchasing these products empowers local women to lead self-sufficient lives. We also cooperate with long-term trading partners and pay fair wages for all our other products. Including all people and considering their needs is very important to us.
Sources:
Koerber, K. von, & Leitzmann, C. (2012). Whole food nutrition: Conception of a contemporary and sustainable diet .
Georg Thieme Verlag. Leitzmann, C. (2005). Wholesome nutrition: A suitable diet for the new nutrition science project. Public Health Nutrition 8 (6a), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.1079/PHN2005781
