CAFRESCO ORGANICS:
PARADISE OF ORGANIC VEGETABLES
JULY 27, 2023
Cafresco Organics stands out in the organic market as a premium grower of a bounty of certified organic vegetables. Situated in Koo Wee Rup, Victoria Cafresco Organics grow over 20 varieties of veggies that are fresh, healthy, certified organic and delicious. Some of their specialties include onions, beans, corn, tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, broccoli, artichokes, cabbage, fennel, chard, silverbeet, cauliflower, Romanesco, chicory, cucumber, kale and lettuce. The farm is also renowned for growing exceptional endives, radicchio and Japnut pumpkin, as well as their iconic asparagus that has a loyal fan base every year.
“Cafresco Organics is more than just a farm, it’s a way of life”
Cafresco Organics is a second-generation farm that is run by Maurie and Maria Cafra. Maurie and Maria have been farming and producing hearty vegetables in the area since the 1970s. But their land has not always been the fertile paradise of vegetables that it is today. Originally their farmland used to be part of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, a vast and unwelcoming wetland that took over 150 years to drain and transform. The soil is rich in magnesium and clay, which makes it challenging to work with in wet weather, but on the other hand helps it retain moisture and nutrients in dry conditions.
The 2022 floods had a lasting impact on many farmers, including Cafresco Organics. Although their farm was not flooded, they still suffered from the consequences of too much rain. Due to the soil on the farm being clay-based it became extremely soggy after the rain, which created many difficulties for Maurie and the team.
Cafresco Organics is more than just a farm. It is a vision of how food can be grown in harmony with nature and with care for the people who eat it. The farm employs natural methods to manage pests and diseases, such as monitoring the crops, rotating them, planting them with compatible species and attracting beneficial insects.
“Cafresco Organics is more than just a farm. It is a vision of how food can be grown in harmony with nature and with care for the people who eat it”
Cafresco also makes its own compost to enrich the soil and feed the plants with organic matter and microorganisms that make their crops thrive. Compost contains millions of microbes that help the plants absorb nutrients and produce sugars. The compost is made using local materials that vary depending on the season. They use eggshells, manure, green waste, packing shed leftovers and a carbon source like straw, hay, or woodchips to create a balanced mix of organic matter.
Cafresco cares deeply about water conservation and recycling. They have an underground system that drains the excess water from their soil and pumps it into two dams. This water is then reused for irrigation through spray and drip systems. They also get water from a bore and a creek nearby. The farm has been laser graded to keep most of the water on site and prevent runoff.
“Committed to supporting
the local community and following the natural
rhythms of the seasons”
Cafresco Organics shows how organic farming can create a positive impact on the planet and the people. They are committed to supporting the local community and following the natural rhythms of the seasons. By choosing their local, seasonal, certified organic produce, you are also reducing your carbon footprint and food miles. Cafresco Organics lets their vegetables grow at their own pace, without any artificial inputs, while practicing sustainable land management, celebrating diversity and delivering some of the freshest and yummiest certified organic produce you can find.
If you want to taste the difference that certified organic farming makes, pick up some delicious Cafresco Organics vegetables from the shelves of your local Market Organics. You will be amazed by the quality and flavour of their vegetables, and you will also be supporting a local family business that cares about the environment and your health.
Maurie and his team are eagerly awaiting the spring season, when their asparagus crop will come back to life. They are looking forward to seeing the green spears emerge from the soil after a long winter.
Cafresco Organics is more than just a farm, it’s a way of life. Fall in love with their certified organic vegetables this winter!
(Pictured: Cafresco Organics farm)
By Jessica Hetherington
First seen in the Seasonal Magazine: Winter 2023
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The land was so wet that they had trouble planting and harvesting their crops throughout Winter and Spring. Consequently, their produce suffered from the excess water and lost some of its quality.
Maurie stayed optimistic and knew he had to be patient and persistent to restore his land and his vegetables to their best condition. He was, after all one of the pioneers of organic farming in the region.
Maurie began to explore alternative methods in the 1990s, when he realised how harmful chemicals are to the environment and the food. He initially started by reducing the amount of chemical fertiliser and chook pellets he used, and gradually switched to organic fertilisers such as compost and manure. He noticed that his soil became healthier and his crops more nutritious and tastier. He obtained his organic certification in 2000 and has never looked back.