Good Harvest Organic Farm - Sunshine Coast, North Brisbane & Gympie
Is your food still safe and chemical free? Let’s talk about it.
If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably heard about the fire ant eradication program currently underway across Queensland. This government-led program involves targeted chemical baiting and spraying in an effort to control invasive fire ants, which are a major threat to agriculture, the environment, and public health.
Understandably, some of our customers have asked:
❓Will these chemicals impact the organic fruit and veggies in my box?
❓Could spray drift affect organic farms?
❓Can I trust the produce at Farmers Markets?
Here at Good Harvest Organic Farm, we want to reassure you - and explain exactly why your organic food supply remains safe, clean and 100% chemical-free.
What is being sprayed - and where?
The program uses chemical treatments including fipronil and methoprene (both insect growth regulators) in targeted bait or sprays across affected areas of South East Queensland.
These treatments are focused on specific infestation zones and are being managed by state authorities.
Will this affect organic produce?
For certified organic farms, the answer is fortunately a clear "NO".
Here’s why:
✅ Certified organic growers must comply with strict standards - in our case, the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) Standard, which prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals, including those used in the fire ant program.
✅ If any required chemical spraying were to take place near or on a certified organic farm, that farm would need to notify their certifier and stop selling as organic until a full buffer period and testing were complete.
✅ Similar to restrictions on organic crops, if any required chemical spraying has taken place near or on a certified organic farm, that farm would need to refrain from planting or sowing any plants or seeds until a full buffer period has been completed, to protect the organic integrity of the soil.
What about home delivery and farmers markets?
The organic fruit and veggies you receive in your Good Harvest box or buy from our farmers market stalls are:
🌱 Certified organic (or at the very least spray-free where specified)
🌱 Grown without synthetic chemicals
🌱 Harvested from farms outside affected spray zones
🌱 Compliant with organic standards and regularly audited
Why choose organic - now more than ever?
With large-scale chemical spraying occurring in parts of Queensland, choosing organic gives you the confidence that:
✅ Your food is free from unwanted chemical residues
✅ You’re supporting farmers who prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and natural pest control
✅ You’re helping build a more sustainable food system - one that works with nature, not against it
The bottom line:
Your organic produce remains safe.
At Good Harvest Organic Farm, we remain fully committed to providing you and your family with the freshest, tastiest, chemical-free fruit and veggies - grown the way nature intended.
We’re always happy to answer any questions - please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to know more.
