Walking down the grocery aisle, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by all the buzzwords, organic, certified organic, spray free, local. It can leave you wondering what any of it actually means for you and your family.
Here at Be Organics, we stock a blend of certified organic products alongside spray free produce, local goodies, whole foods, and everyday essentials. We believe in being honest and upfront: you deserve to know where your food comes from so you can make choices that fit your home, your values, and your budget.
Not every single item on our shelves is certified organic, and we’re totally transparent about that. For us, it’s all about handpicking products with genuine care and sharing the real story behind them.
So, what does certified organic actually mean?
When something is certified organic, it means it’s grown or produced under strict, recognised standards and verified through independent audits.
This process covers everything from farm practices and animal welfare to how ingredients are handled, stored, and labelled.
In short, seeing that certified seal gives you total peace of mind that a product has been independently checked every step of the way.
In New Zealand, organic claims must be truthful and backed up by proof. If something says certified organic on our shelves, whether it’s a warming box of Pukka Tea, organic pantry staples from Chantal Organics, or pure juices from Lakewood, that official documentation is always available right from the grower or producer.
What about spray free?
When produce is labelled sprayfree, it usually means it’s grown without synthetic chemical sprays or harsh pesticides.
However, spray free isn’t quite the same as certified organic.
Many passionate local growers use gentle, conscious farming methods and avoid chemical sprays altogether, but choose not to go through formal certification. Getting certified takes significant time, paperwork, and money, which can be tough for smaller local farms.
If you’re ever curious about a spray free item, just ask us! We love connecting you with the stories of the growers behind your food.
Why supporting local matters so much
Choosing local keeps us warmly connected to the hardworking people who grow and make our food right here in Aotearoa.
Buying locally means fresher, seasonal produce, fewer food miles, and direct support for our local community. Plus, it lets us discover incredible food from small scale makers who pour their hearts into what they do, like fresh artisan loaves from Flavor, handcrafted artisan cheese from The Cheese Barn, or nourishing gluten free baking from Oh My Goodness.
Local doesn’t always mean organic, and organic doesn’t always mean local—and that’s okay! Both are wonderful, meaningful choices.
At Be Organics, we work hard to strike a thoughtful balance between certified organic goods, spray free produce, local suppliers, clean ingredients, and delicious food your whole family will love.
How we curate our shelves
We don’t expect every single item to fit a rigid mold to earn a spot in our store.
Instead, we thoughtfully weigh a few key questions:
- Is it certified organic?
- Are the ingredients simple, clean, and real?
- Where and how was it grown or created?
- Does it support a local grower or maker?
- Is it a healthier, more conscious alternative to conventional options?
- Will our community truly enjoy and benefit from it?
We want Be Organics to be a welcoming space where making better choices feels easy and approachable, never complicated or judgmental.
There’s no “right” way to shop (and plenty of yummy options!)
For some, sticking strictly to certified organic is essential. For others, buying local produce, picking up a spray free option, or swapping to a cleaner pantry staple is the perfect starting place.
Every small change makes a difference, and it can be downright delicious too!
- For Breakfast: Start your morning with Little Bird Organics Cacao & Date Activated Granola or Chantal Organics Apple Crumble Granola, paired with your favourite milk.
- For the Pantry & Lunchboxes: Grab freshly baked Oh My Goodness Manuka Honey bread, or crunch on Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues corn chips.
- For Snacks & Drinks: Pour yourself a chilled Good Buzz Kombucha, sip on a comforting Aroha Mā Spicy Cacao, or slice up some rich Cheese Barn Organic Gouda.
Start where you are, ask questions whenever you’re curious, and enjoy discovering new favourites along the way.
Pop in and say hello!
If you ever have questions about an ingredient, want help understanding a label, or want to know the backstory of a product, come chat with us!
We’re always here to help you find options that work best for you and your family.
Come visit us at 6 Tawa Street, Mount Maunganui, we can’t wait to welcome you in and help you explore our range of organic, spray free, local, and thoughtfully chosen products.