MICK Dan practises what he preaches in promoting organic produce.
Since 2009, he has been involved in the paddock-to-plate process, bringing food from local farmers to consumers.
In keeping with the natural environment and ensuring sustainability in the future, Mick says it’s important to look after the land.
“Farmers rely on soil for their livelihood, so it’s vital to look after it,” he said.
“We always want to grow produce with integrity.
“It’s how we live, working with the environment.
“It’s reflected in the product, too: sustainable soil means you’re going to have a better product.”
As his business progressed, Mick decided it was time to find a permanent place to sell the produce.
“The (pop-up) stall was growing in popularity, so we founded a retail shop,” he said.
In August 2014, Mick and his wife Kelly took over the old Organic Apple store at Marcoola, rebranding it as Good Harvest and transitioning it into a fully organic wholefoods marketplace.
The business successfully operated for more than two years until tragedy struck.
In November 2016, the shop at Marcoola was destroyed by fire.
Despite the setback, Mick and Kelly turned it into a positive for their business.
“In the fire, we lost everything, but we had to keep going,” Mick said. “However, it did give us a chance to stand back and work out what we really wanted to do. Since then, we’ve set up large stalls at the markets, and things have been going well. The structure of the business is better now.
“We’re feeding more people now than we ever have.”
The Good Harvest Organic Farm operates at four of the local farmers’ markets in the region and offers a delivery service, helping to feed hundreds on the Coast weekly.
“People are becoming more aware about who is growing their food,” he said.
“Particularly the younger generations coming through, they’re very interested in the source of their food.
“Many of the locals I serve want to know what’s in season and what is grown where on the Coast and, more importantly, that it’s grown organically.”
Good Harvest Organic Farm sources produce from its farm in Woombye and others in the hinterland.
The latest stall operates every Saturday morning at the Marcoola Farmers Markets. The business can also be found at the weekly markets in Nambour, Noosa and Kawana.