The market is held in a lovingly restored heritage precinct with beautiful views of the adjacent Mary Valley farmland. As well as buying the freshest produce around, why not take a stroll through the Natural History Walk, explore the labyrinth or enjoy a friendly game of petanque with friends?10 GOOD REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SHOP AT DAGUN GROWERS MARKET
BETTER FOR YOUR HEALTH
1. Because it was picked just before the market, our farm-fresh produce retains its peak flavour and nutritional content.
2. Eating fresh and minimally-processed foods reduces the risks of stroke and Type II diabetes, and improves cardioascular function.
3. Much of the fresh produce is CareFarmed or organic – no artificial fertilisers or pest sprays.
4. Reduce your family’s overall exposure to the herbicides and pesticides used in conventional farming.
BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
5. Every dollar spent supports the growers and farmers in your community.
6. Growers markets help sustain family farms and build community by providing a place where people of all ages and income levels can shop, mingle and have a social time.
7. Growers markets spawn and support local small businesses.
8. By supporting local growers, you help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavoursome and abundant food.
BETTER FOR THE EARTH
9. Dramatically reduce your ‘food miles’. Transporting food from major markets in Brisbane and from other states can require at least 5 times more fuel per kilogram of food than purchasing from your local growers market.
10. Sustainable farming practices help the soil remove carbon from the atmosphere.
At Dagun Growers Market, you can be assured that the food you are purchasing is freshly picked and local as all produce is grown within a 70km radius. Not only can you be certain that the food you are buying is local, but all produce will be labelled as either conventionally grown, certified organic or using ‘CareFarmed’ principles. ‘CareFarmed’ signifies that the produce is grown using organic methods (but is not certified) and comes from healthy plants grown in healthy soil.
CareFarmed – Locally grown, organic produce
What is CareFarmed produce?
“CareFarmed” is a registered trademark, and signifies produce which:
-comes from healthy plants grown in healthy soil. Care is taken to ensure that no toxic chemicals or sprays are used on the soil or on the produce.
-is fresh local produce coming directly from the grower. Care is taken to minimize handling, storage and transport to maximize freshness and nutritional value.
-is grown sustainably. Care is taken to continually improve and maintain the state of the soil and the local environment.
Is CareFarmed produce ‘organic’?
CareFarming practices align with the general principles for organic produce listed in the National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce, and growers agree to abide by the schedule of allowable organic inputs and organic farming practices attached to that standard.
What is the difference between CareFarmed and existing national organic certification schemes?
CareFarmed produce is a strictly local scheme, so consumers know that they are buying local produce directly from the growers. Existing national certification schemes provide no such assurances and can sometimes exclude small growers from markets, yet support the storage, processing and long distance transportation of produce grown in non-sustainable monocultures which are nominally ‘organic’.
CareFarmed producers may use non-organic methods on parts of their property which not involved in growing the care-farmed produce (e.g. for control of environmental weeds or for veterinary care of livestock) on the property.
How do I know that the produce I buy is CareFarmed?
Because CareFarmed produce comes from a small group of local growers, there is no “passing the buck”.
Individual growers are directly responsible to the individual customer for ensuring that produce sold as CareFarmed meets the commitments described above. Their farms are open to inspection by customers and other growers if there is any doubt as to the suitability of their farming practices. A profile of the individual growers involved is available to customers and other grower members.
Are there systems like this elsewhere?
In both the U.S. and U.K. there has been a strong groundswell of local small-grower organic movements like CareFarmed. In the U.S., a number are affiliated to the “Certified Naturally Grown” movement (www.naturallygrown.org) and in the U.K. the “Wholesome Food” movement (www.wholesomefood.org.uk) is a sister organization. We would like to see CareFarmed use the best aspects of each of these movements and work with them where possible.
Is CareFarmed produce likely to be very expensive?
Prices should be about the same as for good quality conventionally grown produce in normal retail outlets. The produce comes directly from the grower, with minimal storage, handling, transport and administrative costs. This means that growers can still receive a fair price for the extra care taken to grow their produce without the consumer having to pay a high “organic” premium. The fact that growers
are not supporting a layer of levies and fees to be part of the scheme means that a reasonable balance can be struck between the price paid by the consumer and the overall costs of production.
For more information, talk to: Elaine Bradley and Steve Burgess ph:(07) 5484 3749 elaine@dagungrowersmarket.com
Throughout the year, informative talks and workshops will be held on topics including bushtucker and landcare, organic gardening and permaculture, art & music and herbs & spices.