Inspired by his time in California, where his passion for healthy living and sustainable agriculture blossomed, Daniel Oliveira returned to Scotland with a mission: to introduce the health and sustainability benefits of microgreens to local communities.
Along the picturesque Moray coastline, Daniel founded Rising Roots, a business rooted in the Highlands but with ambitions to create positive, lasting change.
A key partner in Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Groups programme, Rising Roots has become an integral player in the northern Scottish food scene. Through the Highland Good Food Partnership, Daniel collaborates with fellow producers to strengthen Scotland’s local food network, supporting initiatives that celebrate and protect the region’s unique food culture.
This connection allows Rising Roots to not only promote healthy, nutrient-dense produce but also bolster the resilience of Moray’s food community.
Part One
A Blossoming Community
Rising Roots operates with a deeply personal touch. Daniel himself delivers products directly to subscribers, local shops, and renowned restaurants, fostering strong relationships and understanding local preferences.
His commitment to quality and community has cultivated a loyal following, from families to top Highland chefs. Daniel collaborates with these chefs to create custom microgreen blends that enhance traditional Scottish dishes, even earning a feature in Ghillie Basan’s celebrated book on Highland cooking.
Beyond culinary partnerships, Rising Roots demonstrates community dedication in other impactful ways. Surplus produce is donated to the Moray Food Bank, ensuring that local families in need benefit from fresh, nutritious greens.
Rising Roots also collaborates with local kombucha producer Gut Feelings, offering customers the option to include a bottle of kombucha with their microgreen delivery, a partnership that champions small businesses and brings premium, locally-sourced products to Moray residents.
Part Two
Rising to Challenges, Rooted in Resilience
Like many businesses, Rising Roots faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. When restaurants temporarily closed, Daniel adapted by pivoting to home deliveries and retail distribution, ensuring that healthy, locally-grown produce could still reach people’s homes. Today, Rising Roots supplies some of the largest wholesalers in northern Scotland, bringing sustainably grown microgreens to a wider audience.
In collaboration with the Highland Good Food Partnership and Scotland Food & Drink’s Regional Food Groups, Daniel is helping to build a more resilient, connected food system in the Highlands. With recent funding from TSIMoray, he launched the "Rooted in Resilience" course, empowering young adults with skills in market gardening, while covering the connection between gut health and compost microbiomes, and the journey of fresh food from farm to table.
Looking ahead..
Rising Roots plans to expand its offerings with larger-leaved salads and an edible flower garden, bringing new flavours and textures to Moray’s top restaurants. As Daniel continues to champion sustainability, health, and community, Rising Roots
stands as a testament to the strength and innovation of Scotland’s local food industry, where passion and community are at the heart of every leaf grown.