Growers to focus on core business

A family-run farm in Donnybrook is expanding its production thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund.

Prime Organics, owned by the Jarvis family, has been running an orchard in the South West for more than 50 years with a focus on certified organic apples in the past decade.

Owner and manager Jason Jarvis said the grant would help increase the size of their 28ha orchard by about 18 per cent.

“We’re delighted to receive recognition and support from the largest retailer of organic food in Australia,” Mr Jarvis said.

“As the major organic apple grower in WA, there is a real responsibility for us to produce more high quality organic produce and ensure we deliver the highest quality organic apples to meet the growing demand from consumers.”

The Jarvis family have been supplying Woolworths with certified organic apples since 2014 and is the second West Australian farm to benefit from the Organic Growth Fund.

“We believe human nutrition is key to health,” Mr Jarvis said.

“This means the health of our soil, the health of our crops and our animals, and ultimately the health of our customers.”

Since 2018, Woolworths has granted more than $500,000 to farmers across the State.

“The demand for organic fruit and veg continues to grow at an incredible rate,” Woolworths general manager of fruit and vegetables Paul Turner said.