If you’re like the vast majority of shoppers, you’re probably used to being able to walk into your local big-name supermarket and grab whatever fruit, veggies, meat, and other produce you’d like. Even products marked and marketed as organic seem to be available year-round and in limitless quantities.
However, more and more people are choosing to buy produce that is not only organic, but that also comes from local, small-scale farms. Not only is this produce often more expensive, there are usually fewer options, as you have to pick from what’s in season and what’s available.
So why would anyone choose to trade off supermarket convenience just to support a small-scale farm?
What is a small-scale farm?
There is no clear definition of what a small-scale farm is in Australia but, as the name suggests, it’s a farm, but on a smaller scale. What that scale is varies from large suburban house blocks up to about 10 acres.
But it’s not just the land the operation takes up that sets small-scale farms apart. They are also known for their limited use of expensive technologies and usually their strong adherence to organic farming principles.
Until relatively recently, most small-scale organic farming was done largely for personal use. Due to lower yields and significantly higher production costs (at least compared to modern conventional large-scale farming) it generally wasn’t possible for a small-scale operation to be a farmer’s sole income source. However, thanks to the increasing demand for locally grown, organic produce, small-scale farming has become more of an economically viable option.
Why should you source your produce from a small-scale farm?
The main reason to buy small-scale farm produce is because of the quality. As crops are smaller, they are usually planted and maintained by hand, so they grow and thrive in a much gentler environment. Farmers are also able to provide each crop with much more attention and we believe you can taste the love and care in the produce.
What’s more, when you buy organic produce from a small-scale farmer, you are effectively supporting a local, family owned and run business. A business that is keeping organic farming traditions alive and well. A business that is critical to a healthy and sustainable farming future.
Add to this the obvious health benefits (produce that’s higher in key vitamins and minerals, and contains less pesticide and chemical residues), and reduced impact on the environment (less chemical run-off in waterways, increased soil quality, reduced transport related pollution), and it’s easy to see why buying from a local small-scale farmer is always a good choice!
Why we love local producers
At Wholefood House organic supermarkets in Sydney, we take great pride in working with local, small-scale farms. We believe the quality of their produce speaks for itself and love being able to help them share what they do with the good people of Sydney.
When you buy fresh organic produce with us, you can be sure that everything labelled Organic is 100% certified organic. Through their amazing produce you will get to know our farmers and be part of their story.