Our bananas are grown under the Freshcare Food Safety and Freshcare Environmental Codes of Practice both of which are certifiable systems. Our goal is to provide a healthy environment for our family, workforce, visitors and neighbours which in turn improves water quality in neighbouring waterways and helps in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

www.freshcare.com.au

Gaia farms were the first banana farm to acquire this Certification in 2009

Gaia banana farms (Nutrinana bananas) are helping the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority develop the standards of a Reef Guardian Farmer Program.

Through our actions, we take our role as stewards of the land seriously and are proud to be part of the Reef Guardian program to recognise good environmental stewardship.

For more information on the Reef Guardian program go to www.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-partners/reef-guardians

Far north banana farm takes out prestigious environmental gong

Efforts by a north Queensland banana farm to manage their operations for the health of the Great Barrier Reef have been recognised on the national stage.

Based near Silkwood, Gaia Farms recently won a category of the 2011 Banksia Awards – the country’s most hotly contested environmental accolades.

The family owned business – located just 10km from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area – was presented with the ‘Agriculture and Food – From Paddock to Plate Sustainably’ award for demonstrating leadership and innovation in moving to more sustainable and productive agricultural practices.

‘We think of this as an award for the banana industry, because there are many other growers like us who are farming in an environmentally friendly way,” said Mike.

‘It’s through cooperative effort and a process of trialling, learning and continual improvement that we have got to where we are today.”

The Banksia Award judges commended their holistic farm management, from practices that improve soil and plant health needing far less chemicals to grassed inter-rows and buffers that reduce runoff. They recognised that this approach provided a good potential solution to the issue of nutrient, sediment and chemical outflow to the Great Barrier Reef, whilst maintaining commercial scale production.

The Gaia family are also sharing their experience and knowledge to help develop a best management practice manual for the banana industy, in conjunction with DEEDI and the Australian Banana Growers Council due for release in the next 12 months.

http://banksiafdn.com

The Gaia banana farms (Nutrinana bananas) have won the Rural Award at the 2011 ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards.

Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and the Minister for the Environment and Resource Management, Kate Jones congratulated Michael and Brett Gaia who were presented with the award at a ceremony in Brisbane attended by more than 500 people.

"Over the past five years this innovative 60 hectare farm has introduced a range of management practices which not only maintain productivity but that also have huge benefits for neighbouring wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef," Ms Bligh said.

"Gaia Farms has seen an improvement in its soil and plant health, a reduction in pests and disease and saved up to $2800 per hectare each year in chemical costs alone."

"Its latest project has seen the construction of a 2.45 hectare wetland designed to capture and treat runoff and to protect the health of adjoining creeks."

"Gaia Farms is a true showcase for sustainable farming and a well deserving recipient of this award."

www.derm.qld.gov.au/premiersawards/

Michael and Brett Gaia (centre & right) with David Foote, CEO of Australian Country Choice at the Awards