Q: Is it not enough that I trust the shopkeeper?
A: Sadly in this day and age you can't! In 2006 the Commerce Commission found 2 butcher shops in Auckland guilty of falsely claiming non-organic meats as certified organic. Imagine the shock and anger when loyal customers of theirs found out they have been cheated.
Q: Aren't there other certified organic retailers?
A: No. Seven Fields Organic (now Liberty Market) is the only certified organic retailer in Christchurch. (AsureQuality Organic Cert. #0490)
We would like to hear from you if any other retailer in Christchurch tells you that they are certified, so we can verify that. Contact us by email and let us know.
Q: The place I shop shows organic certificates of their growers. Isn't that the same as being certified?
A: No. Anyone can obtain a copy of a grower's certificate. It does not mean the outlet itself is audited or certified.
Q: Other retailers claim to sell "certified organic" produce. Do they really?
A: Maybe. Currently there are no laws specifically regulating the use of "organic" or "certified organic" in New Zealand. Misleading use of these terms are common. Customers need to look for the actual organic certificate of the retailer to be sure.
Q: What does it mean for a shop to be certified organic?
A: A certified organic retailer means that its labels, signs, tags, and any reference to the organic status of products are true. Seven Fields Organic (now Liberty Market) is a certified retailer. So when we say "This apple is certified organic", it's not just our words. This statement is fully backed by the certification agency.
Q: Why are you the only certified organic shop in Christchurch?
A: Because we understand that customers want to know for sure what they are buying is truly organic and that they are supporting an honest retailer, that's why Liberty Market choses to become certified. Why other retailers don't bother to become certified is beyond our comprehension.
Q: Why sometimes you have "uncertified" products?
A: The fact we label some products "uncertified" shows that we are honest! While some vendors may choose to mislead customer by labelling uncertified products as "certified", we at Liberty Market always label products truthfully. You, the customer, will always have the true and correct information from us.
Certain organic fruits and vegetables are sometimes in short supply. We try to procure certified produce first. If there is none available, we then procure alternatives from reputable growers that are uncertified as a last resort.You can be sure that Liberty Market labels any uncertified produce honestly and truthfully.
Q: Are things more expensive?
A: No. The cost of certification is a small but worthwhile part of our normal expenses. Liberty Market maintains our everyday low prices to encourage more people to eat organic food.
Q: Which agency certified Seven Fields Organic?
A: AsureQuality New Zealand, a state-owned organisation under MAF. AsureQuality is also New Zealand's leading food safety and lab testing agency in both domestic and export food markets. The AsureQuality Organic Standard which we conform to is an internationally accredited standards (IFOAM accredited).
Q: What is your policy towards GMOs (genetically modified organisms)?
A: Liberty Market is concerned about GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and their effects on the ecosystem and on the food we eat. We have a non-GMO policy and our organic products conform to the AsureQuality Organic Standard (an IFOAM accredited standard) which strictly prohibits the use of GMO’s.
Liberty Market (formerly Seven Fields Organic) has been continuously certified organic since 2005 and we are committed to providing our customers with genuine certified organic produce and grocery products.