Nurtured by Nature WORDS LIZ FRENCH | IMAGES ALEX SPODYNEIKO
It’s no secret that organically grown food is better for you and for the environment. One of the many attractions of Tauranga Farmer’s Market is the choice from certified organic producers. So … what defines organic food? Organic food is that grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, that is, pesticides and fertilisers. It does not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Organic certification is the guarantee of authenticity, and is an ongoing process. To maintain their certification, every organic producer is audited annually by an independent certifying body, of which there are four in New Zealand.
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The Tauranga Farmer’s Market has a policy that covers the use of the word organic. It can only be used if the grower presents a current copy of the organic registration. You have to be committed to more than just profits to produce food organically. Organic producers work with nature to grow healthy, safe food that nourishes people while protecting the land. So why do it? Kevin from Kandu Organics puts it bluntly: “So I can look you in the eye and tell you that the food I sell you is healthy.” Kandu grows 35 different fruits and 30 varieties of vegetable on their Plummers Point property, and they have been doing it for 35 years. Wisewater Organic Farm emphasises the importance of the nutrient density and environmental benefits of the vegetables they grow in a two-hectare garden near McLaren Falls. "Nutritious food has an important part to play in maintaining the integrity
