We make healthier easier
We make it easier for people to eat more plants and to eat organic/pesticide-free.
Industrial agriculture being what it is, conventional store-bought fruits and veggies are oftentimes stripped of flavour and covered with chemical pesticides. On the other hand, organic labels tend to come with steep price tags and skepticism. Our mission from day one has always been to make better food more accessible, which means striking the right balance between cost and organic/pesticide-free.
We do this by supplying mostly organic-certified or pesticide-free produce, while leaving room to work with farmers who practise good techniques but may not be certified or have the ability to go completely without synthetic pesticides.
What our farms do have in common is a focus on supporting nature so that nature can do its best. This results in simply better produce.
With an emphasis on planting different varieties, and healthy soil and water management, the crops that grow are healthier, too. They retain way more nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and taste fantastic.
To date, we have more than 750 households in Singapore subscribed to our Farmer’s Box.
We support the small guys
Farmers are famously subject to crazy market conditions – more so if they don’t oversee massive operations. We once met with a farmer who told us he had to discard his entire harvest of onions the month before. By contracting with small farms, we’re able to give their farmers and employees the peace of mind that what they grow will be sold, and sold at fair prices.
90% of our farms are small or very small, actively farming with less than 10 acres of land. Meanwhile, 80% of our produce comes from nearby countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, where agriculture drives up to 30% of the economy. Working with these communities is our way of doing what we can to help them thrive and put good food on their table.
We watch our carbon footprint
90% of our produce arrives in Singapore by truck, rather than by planes that guzzle fuel.
We also take every opportunity to seek out farmers who are vigilant about their own carbon output.
For example, Borrowdale Free Range, which supplies our pork, and Roots Regenerative, which supplies us 100% grass-fed beef, practise restorative techniques to actively reduce their emissions and heal the land that they farm on. By doing things like rotating paddocks, preventing overgrazing, and maximising plant diversity, they nurture the health of their soil and thus help to store carbon in it.
Closer to home, we contract with many produce farmers who also work really hard to strengthen their soil. The healthier the soil, the more carbon it can absorb from the atmosphere, and for longer. As a bonus, carbon-rich soil provides more crop nutrients and is more resilient. It’s a win-win!
We limit our plastic use
Plastics are… not great. We are trying really hard to get rid of them in our operations completely. We pride ourselves with using close to zero plastics in our boxes, packing everything in compostable paper bags. Our brown carton boxes are also made from recycled materials and 100% compostable.
We don’t believe in wasting food
We embrace nature’s diversity by embracing the “ugly” or awkward-looking produce that typically gets passed over by traditional retailers.
And unlike big stores that stockpile produce, we aim to supply only what our community needs. Our grown-to-order approach is made possible by our subscription model and is something we are in the process of excitedly refining. In the meantime, surplus items are donated to local organisations to support those in need.
Lastly, aside from our B2C offerings, we also collaborate with businesses like hotels and restaurants to repurpose excess food and minimise waste across the supply chain. Do get in touch with us at nicholas@talulafarm.com if you would like to work together.