National Organic Week is coming up this September and there’s no better time to look to local Macedon Ranges producers for fresh fruit and vegetables.
The week runs from September 12 to 18 and is designed to increase awareness around the benefits of organic products and farming, and to encourage broader uptake and consumption.
Bolinda’s Wildwood Organics owner, Ben Dunn, has been operating his one-acre, certified organic market garden for about one year, and absolutely loves selling his produce to locals.
“I just feel better as a grower to be able to sell my veggies to people in my local community, who I see face-to-face on a weekly basis at the farmers market,” Mr Dunn said.
“When I’m selling veggies to them, it makes me feel good knowing they’re taking back to their homes really good quality, fresh and healthy produce.”
He said right now, with the cost of non-organic fruit and vegetables skyrocketing, it was a great time to make the switch to shopping local and at markets, rather than at bigger supermarkets and chains.
“Traditionally certified organic fruit and veg have been more expensive than conventionally grown veg, but for the first time in history, if you shop at your local farmers market or buy direct from a local farmer, certified organic veggies are cheaper,” he said.
National Organic Week is run by the Centre for Organic Research and Education (CORE) and chairman Eric Love believes organic production systems will one day likely be the only way to sustainably feed the world.
“The upside is that organic farming can be profitable, and organic food appeals to consumers as both a healthy and ethical choice that also results in numerous climate actions and environmentally positive benefits,” Mr Love said.
Elsie Lange
