Why All Organic Isn’t Equal —and How Real Pricing Builds a Better Food System

When we buy organic, it usually feels like the safest, most ethical choice. Yet not all organic is created equal.

At many large organic multi-site stores in Melbourne (I won't name them!), products are purchased in huge commercial bulk quantity; think hundreds of kilos of flour flown in, stored in sprawling warehouses, and sold at “cheap” prices. That scale lowers costs, but also distance. It obscures real stories; who produced it, how, and whether Fair prices even made it back to the farmers.

We do things differently at The Common Good. As a small, direct-trade family business, we source from growers and millers we know personally; often smaller producers whose hands-on methods deliver both quality and authenticity. We value provenance, not just price.

Here’s the critical part: our pricing is fully transparent. We don’t rely on competing with low prices born of massive economies of scale. Instead, we price each item to reflect its real cost—accounting for the resources, human effort, and fair compensation necessary to grow or make it. And yes, we include the margin we need to continue reinvesting in an ethical, sustainable supply chain; one built on fair wages and regenerative practices.

That’s not just good business. It’s aligned with Doughnut Economics, a framework by economist Kate Raworth that urges us to thrive within both social and planetary boundaries. As she puts it:

“For the twenty-first century a far bigger goal is needed: meeting the human rights of every person within the means of our life-giving planet.”

In other words, an economy shouldn't chase endless growth or false bargains, it should aim for balance. Meaning it ensures everyone’s basic needs are met (a fair living for producers, transparency for consumers) while not overshooting ecological limits. That’s how economies AND food systems truly flourish.

And our commitment doesn’t stop at sourcing. Everything we sell is responsibly packaged—glass jars, brown paper, BPA-free tins. Every choice we make is with the health of both people and planet in mind. We are all about whole foods, not shortcuts. That means you won’t find fast snacks or quick hacks here; because we believe everything needs slowing down: consumption, living, being. 

Food should nourish, not rush.

At The Common Good, every purchase helps sustain a circular model of care: your spend enables fair pay for producers, funds ethical sourcing, and keeps money flowing back into local, regenerative systems. We haven’t built our reputation overnight. Over the past decade, we have always chosen integrity over shortcuts, transparency over trendy, and values over volume.

Because organic isn’t just a label, it’s a commitment. And by supporting businesses that price honestly, package responsibly, and reinvest ethically, you're helping shape a food system that nourishes people and planet in equal measure.

🥖 Fill your pantry with food that matters. Browse our store and join us in slowing down, living well, and eating with intention.