#7 spray free farmacy

My intentions when starting this blog were not only to share my food story and cooking experiences, but also to celebrate those of others’. So that’s what I’m doing today, celebrating the story of Kristen and Trevor Ottoway and how they came to start Spray Free Farmacy through their love of fresh, organic produce.

Spray Free Farmacy is a Brisbane based, family-run business that allows customers to purchase fresh, seasonal, spray-free produce at an affordable price. The produce is sourced from a network of local spray-free farms, boxed up using minimal, recycled packaging and either delivered to your door or available for pick up from a local address. Customers are able to purchase their produce weekly and have the choice of a set box (these change each week) or create a custom order. Kristen and Trevor started this business as a result of their own needs. Leading a busy life with two small children, it was difficult and expensive to obtain the fresh produce they wanted (not to mention the excess of wasted packaging that was left over). Fast forward a few years and they now source their produce from 22 proud, local spray-free farms to families from Narangba, throughout Brisbane and all the way down to Ormeau on the Gold Coast. They pride their business on providing customers with high quality produce that is healthy for them and good for the environment (in more ways than one)! 

We are fortunate here in Australia to have access to an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables all year round. With an incredibly diverse landscape and climate, we have the ability to harvest the most delicious of fresh produce. Many farmers throughout the country pride themselves on their sustainable and organic farming practises. That is, they use a variety of growing techniques that are free from harsh chemicals and sprays to grow their crops. This process is not only better for the environment and its longevity, but inevitably better for us as consumers. Supporting these small farming businesses and gaining access to this produce can sometimes be challenging, particularly in the busy lives we all lead. It was for this reason that Kristen and her husband, Trevor, started Spray Free Farmacy five years ago. 

I am a firm believer that the quality of the “fuel” we fill our bodies with, the more efficiently they are able to work. When I asked Kristen why good quality produce is important to her and her family, she responded with something that mirrored these similar beliefs. “It is so important for our health… and throughout my own health journey I have come to understand just how related it [organic produce] really is.” Kristen believes that knowing what is actually in your food is just as important as knowing what has been done to it. Not to mention the benefit that organic farming practises has on our environment, something that she is a strong advocate for. 

So, what exactly is organic farming? Yes, it is free from harsh chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about using methods that were used for centuries before and will hopefully be utilised for centuries to come in order to sustain our environment and look after our bodies. Methods such as companion planting, the rotation of crops, use of netting and plants such as marigolds to deter bugs and insects, are just some of the ways that farmers are able to produce high quality fruits and vegetables. Maintaining nutrient rich and strong soil with home-made composts also encourages hearty crops that have the ability to withstand harsh weather patterns and certain insects and bugs.

While it’s no secret that I love spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking, it’s not just for the purpose that I get to eat it later (although, this is a big part of it). To me, it’s just as much about the finished product as it is about the quality of the ingredients that you started with. About 4 months ago, I was referred to Spray Free Farmacy by a loved one and I have not looked back since. Why do I love it so much? 

-       The convenience in being able to get my produce delivered/being able to pick it up at the same time every week

-       The quality of the produce

-       The fact that it’s spray-free (while not officially accredited as “organic”, each farmer follows organic farming processes)

-       Minimal, recycled packaging  

-       I’m supporting small local businesses, particularly during the incredibly uncertain times we find ourselves in

But perhaps one of the biggest reasons that I love this service so much is because of the people behind it. It has been evident from the beginning that Kristen and Trevor are passionate about their message and care just as much about the farmers they have connected with as they do their customers. This whole business was born out of their own needs but has continued to grow and evolve as a result of their love of learning, their belief in the importance of eating fresh, seasonal, organic produce, appreciation of the environment and the need to sustain it and to help spread and celebrate the work of some of the very people at the forefront that are doing so. 

To Kristen and Trevor, thank you so very much for doing what you do and for allowing me to share your story. This is a celebration of your successful business and commitment to sustaining our planet. 

Head to www.sprayfreefarmacy.com to check them out!

Instagram: @sprayfreefarmacy