Certified Organic
Tommy Toe Organics has been certified by the Organic Food Chain (OFC) as Australian organic certified processor number 0454.
Sarita Kissun - Organic Food Manufacturer - Tommy Toe Organics
What is an Organic Food Manufacturer?
An organic food manufacturer uses chemical free, pesticide free, preservative free, artificial colour and flavour free and G.M.A interference free ingredients to manufacture guaranteed safer, healthier and tastier versions of food products.
What training or qualifications do you need to fill this role?The ability to work with other professionals is very important eg Naturopaths, Dieticians, the Department of Primary Industries and Herbalists. Food development and engineering, food handling and hygiene, food technology and passion for creative cooking are all necessary.
What are the key skills and responsibilities of the role?A flair to develop good quality foods and the ability to identify pivotal foods that cause the most health problems, combined with the ability to offer substitutes is the key.
How did you get involved in your profession?In Fiji where I grew up everything was grown organically. Once I discovered that in Australia it had a special name I knew it had always been my passion.
Could you break into the industry in other ways?It is not about the difficulty of entering the industry but what you can bring to the industry that will enhance the industry to the next level.
What do you hope to achieve within your industry?Australia has always looked after me. I would like to give back something in return that will benefit the health and well being of its people. I would like to educate children of the country to be more conscious of what they eat and what effect that food has on them.
Are you in the industry for the long term?My passion is the organic industry. I enjoy being a consumer, from skin and hair care products to the yummy delights of organic food. I guess it takes long-term commitment to see this conviction through.
What advice would you give to someone looking to emulate your success?Do your homework. Your learning curve should be vertical in the first three years and like everything in life, organic too is a dynamic living process. Be prepared to live and grow with it.
Are there many opportunities in your industry?Yes there are manufacturing opportunities, as there are a disproportionate number of producers to manufacturers. Almost anything can be turned into organic. The challenge is to turn organic into the mainstream.
What are your words of wisdom?Love God, love life and love people.
