At Project You, we believe in the benefits of healthy eating and including wild harvested superfoods in our daily diet.
We’ve all heard the terms organic, non-GMO and fair trade, but what does “wild harvested” mean? A product that has been wild harvested has been collected by hand from a native ecosystem. A native ecosystem is one that is largely undisrupted by humans—meaning, it has not been tilled, logged, or significantly altered from its original character. Because these native ecosystems remain undisturbed environments, they are often treasure troves of plant biodiversity.
Foods that are “wild harvested” are typically:
● Natural and organic – meaning they do not contain harmful chemicals that are applied by conventional agriculture.
● Ethical and fair trade – because wild harvested foods require the knowledge of Indigenous people to locate their ancient food sources.
● Healthy and nutritious – because the fruits are grown in their natural state , allowing them to develop higher order compounds such as antioxidants and vitamin C.
Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum
Wild harvested foods have become popular in recent years due to increased awareness of the nutritional and culinary benefits of native foods. In terms of nutritional benefits, native foods grow in untouched environments where they have access to all essential ingredients needed develop true superfood qualities: clean water, air and rich soils unspoiled by pesticides and chemicals. At Project You, we wild harvest our Kakadu Plum and other native Bushfoods at the peak of activity and ripeness, which allows us to create a more potent superfood. No chemicals or standardizing procedures are necessary.
Ethically Sourced
All of our Bushfoods, including Kakadu Plum, are wild harvested by indigenous communities from remote coastal regions in Western and Northern Australia. Wild harvesting native foods like the Kakadu Plum is not only beneficial for our health, but it is also socially and ethically significant because it creates work opportunities for indigenous communities who harvest the foods. Wild harvesting is also environmentally sustainable because it ensures the protection and care of native plants naturally established in that area.
According to Bushfoods Scientific Advisory Member Greg Cumberford, "Kakadu plum (aka gubinge) comes from remote coastal parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territories. The whole fruit is harvested from semi-wild managed understory trees under partnerships with women-owned and women-managed Aboriginal cooperatives in a truly regenerative economic development model, one which stands in sharp contrast to mineral resource mining, cattle, and monocrop farming that has dominated these areas."
Wild Harvested Versus Organic
If we look at the benefits of wild harvesting compared to organics, fair trade and conventional agriculture, the advantages are clear. Wild harvested foods are healthier, fairer and more eco-friendly. While organic plants are cultivated without the use of pesticides or chemicals, there is a potential that the plants have been fumigated, irradiated or genetically altered. Wild harvested plants, on the other hand, are grown wild in nature without human intervention and are harvested following guidelines, which include harvesting in areas that are free of pollutants, and working with the departments of natural resources to obtain proper permits. Our farmers re-plant seeds and root crowns and always leave the grandparent plants to allow for future generation seed stock.
Freeze Dried to Protect Freshness and Nutrients
Project You uses custom drying methods and controlled storage for our products. Temperature-controlled, flat bin drying is customized for each fruit to preserve its nutritional value. The freshly dried material is stored in temperature-controlled rooms, in a whole form, for maximum potency retention.
Our Bushfoods contain all the nutrients needed to keep us in great physical condition and good health. They are replete with micronutrients and are naturally low in sugars, thus producing lower glucose and insulin levels.
