The Organic One: Taste Nature
Hi Clinton, can you tell us a little about you and Taste Nature?
I’m Clinton Chambers, one of the owners of Taste Nature Organics in Dunedin. Café, supermarket, apothecary, clinic, organic gardens and social enterprise, we’ve been in business for 33 years and counting.
What does organic mean to you?
We believe in the importance of knowing the origins and contents of our food. Our food selection reflects these values by offering nutritious, low mileage, and chemical-free options that align with the principles of responsible consumption. When you choose Taste Nature’s food, you’re choosing products that avoid harmful additives, preservatives, and flavour enhancers and are made with health and environmental impacts in mind.
Why are organic principles so important to the future state of food?
There is a global shift to organics and having no chemicals in your food. There is medical data emerging on the effects chemicals have in the food supply chain that are connected to illness and disease, even some cancers. We source a wide range of organic and non-GMO foods to try and reverse the effects chemicals are having on people’s health and promote consumption of organic, locally sourced seasonal wholefoods, which are better for our wellbeing.
What do you love most about your Taste Nature community?
Our community here at Taste Nature lives and breathes the values of the business, to create a sustainable, ethical, and local economic system that supports the wellbeing of individuals, engages our community, cares for our planet, furthers our education, and is in harmony with nature. Together we believe every small action has a meaningful influence. Together, we can shift the culture from in difference to engaged, deliberate actions that enhance the health of people and our planet alike.
Can you describe Otis' The Organic One in 3 words?
Subtle, creamy, delicious
What are the big exciting things Taste Nature is focused on this year?
- Our Food Provenance social enterprise is funding the mentoring of four organic urban market garden start-ups here in Dunedin. The food grown will be used to make the delicious food served in our café and fresh produce sold through our organic supermarket.
- The launch of the Wellnation movement to start the conversation about replacing our broken health system with one that supports whole health and preventative actions, enabling people to better control their wellness journey
