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While there are many arguments to be made in favour of why organic is the better choice, harmful chemical residues on food must be one of the biggest reasons.

The number of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other ‘icides’ approved for use in Australia is huge. If you want a casual read to see just how many there are, visit the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website and scroll through their database. There are over 17,000 different chemicals or combinations of chemicals approved for use on plants and livestock in Australia. Although some of these would be listed in the system more than once as an individual ingredient and also as part of a registered product, the overall number is still staggering.

Occasionally studies are done on chemical residues found on conventionally grown fruit and veg, like this one. Although this study is from the UK, the results are applicable here too. Strawberries for example, had at least one type of pesticide residue on 89% of samples that were tested, with some containing traces of 12 different pesticides! Other items the topped the list were lemons, grapes, pre-packed salad, peaches and nectarines, spinach, chilli, tomato, lettuce, capsicums and beans.

I used to think that is was okay to buy produce that is claimed to be ‘spray free’, but the more I have learned about organic farming and the looser I have realised the term spray free is, we have decided to no longer source produce from growers who make this claim. There is no accountability and on a number of occasions, after questioning such growers or requesting to visit their properties (we visit all the farms we source fresh produce from) we have found time and time again that their farming practices almost always still incorporate chemicals that are detrimental to environmental and human health. It’s why we choose to support those growers who go the extra mile in growing their produce organically and with complete transparency.

Gathered Organics
Footsteps Organic Farm
401 Walcliffe Road
Western Australia

T: 0481 897 013
E: [email protected]

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 7am-3pm
Wednesday: 7am-3pm
Thursday: 7am-6pm
Friday: 7am-3pm
Saturday: 7am-2pm
Sunday: Closed