Working with nature to grow fresh food.
Certified Organic and Conventional Vegetables and Fruit
Our Story
VJK Produce is led by Jamie and Melita Jurgens and their children Jess and Jacob.
They work in partnership with joint venture partners Kalfresh Pty Ltd to offer a range of Certified Organic and Conventional Vegetables and Fruit from farms in Bowen and Ayr.
The Jurgens family are 5th generation farmers who have been farming in the Bowen region since 1915. Their Vee Jay’s Tomato brand was first established in 1974 by Vern and Janette Jurgens.
Jamie and Melita began their journey to organic certification in 2015 and received full organic certification in 2018. Jamie was north Queensland’s first Reef Guardian farmer, a title bestowed in recognition of his work around sustainable and environmentally-farming practices. The Jurgens pride themselves on growing environmentally and socially-sustainable safe food grown using a biodynamic farming system.
The partnership with Kalfresh has enabled VJK Produce to establish itself as a leading supplier of commercial-scale Certified Organic vegetables in Australia.
Integrated Farming
Vee Jay’s Kalfresh is a vertically integrated farming company, founded by farmers with good farming techniques at its core.
Bowen Region
Vee Jay’s Kalfresh has 550 ha under crop in the Bowen region, at the top of the Whitsundays. The mild winters make it the perfect place to grow winter tomatoes, capsicums, pumpkin & beans.
Paddock to Plate
Vee Jay’s Kalfresh controls the entire paddock to plate journey – from seed selection right through to harvest, packing, distribution and marketing.
Our Produce
Vee Jays Kalfresh are leaders in commercial-scale Certified Organic vegetable farming in Australia.
Our Crops
VJK’s Certified Organic produce is sold under The Passionate Farmer brand and retail proprietary brands.
The range features:
Certified Organic Green Beans
Certified Organic Sweet Corn
Certified Organic Pumpkin
Certified Organic Baby Capsicums
Certified Organic Snacking Tomatoes
Certified Organic Mini Melons
VJK also grows a range of conventional produce – green beans, sweet corn, pumpkin and baby capsicums, between April and November.
VJK Produce is Australia’s largest grower and supplier of Sweet Baby Snacking Capsicums.
Sustainable Farming
Everyone at Vee Jays’ Kalfresh is driven by a desire to create the freshest, tastiest, nutrient-rich produce possible, with the least impact on the environment. This is achieved through seed selection, soil management and wold-leading farming practices. Our farming philosophy is driven by the belief that a happy plant is a healthy plant. We know that Mother Nature is an incredible thing and if a plant that is allowed to meet its own full potential naturally it will produce healthy food.
Sustainable farming methods are at the crux of everything we do. We monitor the environment and work with it to reduce our impact on the place where we live and farm. We are Reef Guardian farmers and are constantly improving the way we do things to ensure we have minimal impact on the local environment.
Precision Farming
We adopt a control traffic system on farm, using GPS technology which outlines permanent roadways and growing areas. We never drive tractors on the dedicated growing areas.
This system minimises the destruction and compaction of soil. Control traffic improves the soil structure and water-holding capacity and minimises the amount of water required to grow crops.
Biodiversity
We take biodiversity to the next level by increasing the natural flora & fauna on farm and by increasing the micro-organisms in the soil.
We use a ‘Bugs for Bugs’ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system which uses insects to control pests which harm our crops.
Biodiversity
We take biodiversity to the next level by increasing the natural flora & fauna on farm and by increasing the micro-organisms in the soil.
We use a ‘Bugs for Bugs’ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system which uses insects to control pests which harm our crops.
Crop rotation
We believe in long fallows and crop rotation helps us maintain soil sustainability. We grow a grass cover crop for a two-year fallow. The bulk is mulched often, which helps maintain good soil microbiology.
Composting
Composting is a vital part of our program to improve soil structure and improve the overall soil sustainability. Our compost is made on farm using natural products to produce organic carbon which is used as a food source for microbes in the soil.
Composting
Composting is a vital part of our program to improve soil structure and improve the overall soil sustainability. Our compost is made on farm using natural products to produce organic carbon which is used as a food source for microbes in the soil.
Permanent Irrigation
We have invested in permanent irrigation systems to minimise water losses and reduce runoff.
Water Quality & Recycling
Because Vee Jay’s Tomatoes is a reef wise farm, they are conscious of water leaving their property. The water is caught in silt traps before leaving the property and recycled.
Water Quality & Recycling
Because Vee Jay’s Tomatoes is a reef wise farm, they are conscious of water leaving their property. The water is caught in silt traps before leaving the property and recycled.
Jobs
VJK Produce often require casual workers dependent on crops and seasons.
There are currently no vacancies, please check back again soon.
Get in Touch
Email Address: admin@vjkproduce.com.au
T: +61 7 47852276
F: +61 7 4785 2233
Postal Address: PO Box 382 Bowen Q 4805
