About Us

elcome to the Organic Food Directory for Australia. This directory has been developed by Footprint Choices™. Footprint Choices™ is a family run enterprise that is dedicated to supporting social and environmental responsibility. With 12 family members spanning three generations, we are committed to working together to make a difference - to the community, the planet and to the health of all beings that inhabit the earth. We also believe that enjoying ourselves shouldn't be an after-hours activity.

We are driven by a sincere desire to support people to make choices that leave a minimal ecological footprint.

One of our goals at Footprint Choices™ is to support the organic food industry in Australia. We are strong supporters of bioregionalism and the slow movement. We aim to bring local organic produce and food into the homes and mouths of local people, and to increase the connection between people and the food they eat. We also aim to increase community support for local sustainable organic farmers and businesses.

The Organic Food Directory is far more than a directory of organic outlets. Not only do we provide the most comprehensive directory of organic outlets in Australia, we also provide an extensive resource on organic food with over 120 pages of information.

We at Footprint Choices™ share a common ethos and bring together a wide range of qualifications, skills and experiences.

CL Claridge (BA, MLandResSt., PhD) has qualifications in natural resource management, psychology, permaculture, and empowerment processes. For many years she has worked in international development supporting government organizations, non-government organizations and community members to define their future development and to build sustainable systems of agriculture, education, and community development. As a committed parent she has run parent education courses in Australia for several decades. Her main role in Footprint Choices™ is as researcher/writer.

Leon Blanchard-Claridge is in his sixth decade of wonderful life experiences. He is currently involved in the marketing and sales area related to the business probably because he has had a little experience in company accounting and management. At other times along the way he has been involved in conventional and alternative schooling and IT training. He has long been interested in sustainable homespun solutions to the common problems of housing, food and recreation. He has a strong interest in Asian and South Asian cultures and the cooking and music of these regions. He is interested in promoting the values of good nutrition and dietary supplements as key steps towards good health and wellness.

Justin Claridge is an environmental scientist with 10 years experience. He is currently working for a consulting company. Justin has a Bachelor and Masters degree in Land Resource Science. The career he has chosen is a reflection of his interest in the natural world and environmental issues. In his work Justin deals with a range of environmental management issues on a regular basis including flora and fauna, land condition and water quality. Justin has also been a vegetarian for almost 20 years and believes that for good health we need good food.

Jeromy Claridge is a senior environmental scientist for a large international environmental consulting company. He is involved in environmental investigations and assessments on a daily basis and has expert knowledge in natural resource sciences, greenhous gas emissions, water sensitive design, environmental management and a host of other environmental elements.

Tristan Claridge (BA, MNatResSt) has always displayed a keen interest in natural and environmental processes leading him to undergraduate study in geographic sciences and environmental management. More recently Tristan has focused on social processes that govern participation and environmental management. He completed a Master of Natural Resource Studies that focused on the role of social capital in environmental management. Tristan is motivated to gain a better understanding of the social processes that result in beneficial / destructive behaviour toward the environment. At present Tristan is the chief web developer for Footprint Choices™.

Megan Claridge has a Bachelors degree in digital design and is now applying what she learnt at university to the graphic and web design in Footprint Choices™ sites. Since becoming a mother to Charlie, late last year (2004) she has become ever more environmentally and health conscious. She believes that we need to live more sustainably, not just for ourselves but also for generations to come. Megan has been a vegetarian for 2 years.

Charlie Claridge was born in December 2004. Charlie enjoys going to the beach and interacting with nature. She also likes to entertain her family at meetings (a great distraction). Charlie's mum and dad are feeding her an organic vegetarian diet that she loves. Her favorite foods at the moment are banana and rice noodle.