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www.thevillagenews.co.za
WHAT'S COOKING
Bringing fresh, seasonal flavour to your table S
oil-focused, bug-friendly and sustainable farming is the hallmark of Cape Food Farm, where organic vegetables, fruit and flowers are grown on the 200 ha Du Bois farm near Papiesvlei, between Stanford and Elim. This is where Steve and Karien Buys have been living and farming for the past 20 odd years, cherishing the rural Overberg landscape, clean air and fresh spring water.
biology.
According to Steve, he searched a long time for this pocket of virgin land, which was perfectly suited to their ideal of growing organic, nutrient-dense vegetables in a sustainable way. The focus is on the soil, and not the plants, explains Steve, because good soil produces healthy plants. Sustaining and feeding the soil as well as the organisms that live in it is at the root of more nutrition and flavour.
The other good news is that this organic produce is not going to cost you more, as it is delivered straight from the farm to your door. More than 50 different vegetables are grown on the farm, as well as 18 different herbs, fresh fruit and berries, a variety of pulses and edible seeds, and handpicked flowers. Other pantry products that are available to order include herb pestos handmade on the farm, and free-range eggs and non-irradiated fynbos honey from neighbouring farms. Everything your body needs to thrive and supply you with clean energy!
“So many chronic illnesses that have developed over the past 60 years can be linked to industrial-agricultural supply systems,” says Steve, adding that their mission is to grow food with healing properties – food as medicine – and to protect the planet at the same time. “Our veggies are fed natural organic food and clear mountain spring water in a pollution-free environment. Hulle smaak so lekker want hulle eet so lekker!” But what is it that makes Cape Food Farm’s produce more nutritional – medicinal, even? This is clearly Steve’s favourite subject, as he explains that soil is alive and that certain methods of farming, including the use of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilisers kill off part of the natural symbioses that exist within the plant
PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer
“We understand the important role that insects play, and that pests and disease are not the cause of a failing crop but rather symptoms of plants that were never healthy to start with. The stronger, healthier, and more complete the plant becomes, the more resistant it is to disease and pests. It is at this point that your food truly becomes medicine.”
The produce is freshly harvested, washed and packed for delivery in the packing shed on the farm, ready to be personally delivered every week for an extra fee of only R45 to the following areas – Hermanus, Benguela, Arabella and Kleinmond (Fridays), Stanford, Baardskeerdersbos, Gansbaai, Franskraal and Pearly Beach (Thursdays), Napier and Bredasdorp (Wednesdays) and Struisbaai and L'Agulhas (Tuesdays). Simply go to capefoodfarm.co.za to place your order by 10:00 the previous day and specify your home/office address at the checkout. Have a basket or box ready to receive your delivery. – Hedda Mittner
20 January 2021
