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Better Mood Foods
Food as Medicine
Healthy Living

Why We’re Picky About Our Strawbs

Freshly picked organic strawberries from a Queensland strawberry farm, promoting seasonal produce, local farmers and spray-free fruit.

Few foods disappear as quickly in a household as strawberries.

Sweet, juicy and packed with goodness, strawberries are one of those foods that everyone seems to love, but they’re also one fruit where how they’re grown can matter more than many people realise.

Because while strawberries might be tiny, they consistently sit near the top of the Dirty Dozen list, which is exactly why they’re one of the foods many people choose to prioritise buying organic or spray-free where possible.

That’s also why we get pretty excited when beautiful strawberries from growers we trust come into season.

Why Strawberries Are On The Dirty Dozen List

Every year, strawberries consistently rank near the top of the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list, a list that highlights produce found to carry the highest pesticide residues after testing.

Why? Unfortunately, strawberries are delicate little things. They’re prone to pests, mould and disease, which means conventionally grown strawberries are often sprayed heavily throughout the growing process.

And because strawberries have soft, porous skin, there’s not really a thick peel protecting what you eat. You’re eating the whole thing.

That’s why strawberries are one of the first fruits many people choose to buy organic or spray-free when they can.

Not because we believe food needs to be perfect… but because reducing repeated exposure where possible just makes sense.

Especially when strawberries are usually a food we eat often, in large amounts and that we give to our kids by the handful. 

Recent News: Why Berries Are Making Headlines

If you've been following the news lately, you may have seen recent reports about proposed changes to pesticide limits on berries in Australia.

In July 2026, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) proposed increasing the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for the insecticide isocycloseram on several berry varieties, including strawberries. The proposal sparked considerable public discussion, with many Australians questioning whether we should be taking a more precautionary approach when it comes to repeated chemical exposure, particularly in children.

It's important to note that Australian regulators have stated that Maximum Residue Limits are not the same as health limits, and berries available for sale remain compliant with Australian food standards.

Still, the conversation has highlighted something many families have been thinking about for years:

If strawberries are already one of the most heavily sprayed fruits, and we're continually debating what levels of chemical residues are acceptable, does it make sense to choose organic or spray free when possible?

For us, the answer is pretty simple.

We don't believe in fear based food choices. Fresh fruit and vegetables are still some of the healthiest foods on the planet, and we'd always encourage people to eat more of them, regardless of whether they're organic or conventional.

But when a fruit is eaten frequently, given to children by the handful, and consistently appears on the Dirty Dozen list year after year, we think it's reasonable to pay a little more attention to how it's grown.

And that's exactly why we're so grateful for growers like Ashbern Farms.

Recent headlines don't change our view on strawberries. If anything, they've reinforced it.

Food is full of small choices, and for many families, strawberries are one of the easiest places to start.


The Pesticides Commonly Used On Strawberries

In Australia, conventional strawberry farming can involve a combination of fungicides, herbicides and insecticides to manage mould, weeds and insects.

Some of the more commonly used chemicals include:

Cyprodinil + Fludioxonil

These fungicides are often used to prevent moulds like grey mould (Botrytis), which strawberries are especially vulnerable to.

Some research has raised concerns around repeated exposure to certain fungicides and their potential impacts on hormone function and the gut microbiome. While residue limits are considered “safe” individually, many health experts argue that we still don’t fully understand the long-term effects of low-dose exposure to multiple chemicals over time.

Captan

Captan is another fungicide commonly used in strawberry production globally and has been detected on strawberries in residue testing.

Some animal studies have linked high exposure to possible carcinogenic effects, which is why it’s classified by some agencies as a probable human carcinogen at sufficient exposure levels.

Glyphosate

Glyphosate may also be used around strawberry crops for weed control.

There’s growing discussion around glyphosate’s potential impact on gut bacteria because it works by targeting a biological pathway found in plants and many microbes. Some researchers believe repeated dietary exposure could influence the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome.

Synthetic Pyrethroids

These insecticides are used to control pests like mites and other insects.

High exposure has been associated in some studies with impacts on the nervous system, particularly in agricultural workers with repeated contact over time.

Now, to be clear, we’re not sharing this to create fear around food.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are still one of the best things you can eat for your health.

But we do think it’s worth knowing which foods tend to carry heavier spray loads, so you can prioritise organic or spray-free options where possible.

And strawberries are definitely one of those foods.

Meet The Legends Growing Our Organic Strawberries

This season, we’re sourcing our strawberries from Ashbern Farms - a family-run farm growing beautiful strawberries with a real focus on quality and care.

Sweet, juicy, fragrant strawberries that actually smell like strawberries when you open the punnet. (A surprisingly rare experience these days.)

One thing we love about working closely with growers is that we get to know the people behind the food, not just the product itself. It’s slower, more personal, and it creates a food system built on trust instead of mystery.

Strawberries Are Tiny Nutritional Powerhouses

Besides tasting ridiculously good, strawberries are packed with:

  • Vitamin C
  • Antioxidants
  • Fibre
  • Folate
  • Polyphenols that support overall health

They’re also one of those rare foods that feel like a treat while still being genuinely nourishing.

Which, in our opinion, is the sweet spot 🍓

Easy Ways To Use Seasonal Strawberries

1. Strawberry Yoghurt Bark

Spread thick yoghurt onto a tray, top with sliced strawberries, a drizzle of honey, nuts or granola, then freeze and snap into pieces.

2. Roast Strawberry Toast 🍓

Roast strawberries with a little balsamic vinegar and maple syrup until jammy and soft. Spoon onto sourdough with ricotta or labneh. 

3. Strawberry Spinach Salad

Toss together:

  • strawberries
  • baby spinach
  • walnuts
  • feta
  • balsamic dressing

4. Strawberry, Banana & Matcha Smoothie 🍓🍌

A little morning pick-me-up that feels like a café treat but sneaks in some goodness too.

Blend together:

  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 1 tsp matcha powder
  • 1 cup milk of choice (or coconut water for something lighter)
  • ½ cup Greek yoghurt (optional for extra protein)
  • Ice

Matcha contains antioxidants and gives a gentler caffeine lift than coffee, while strawberries bring natural sweetness and vitamin C. If you haven’t heard, matcha and strawberries are a heavenly combo and you have to try it.


Food Is Full Of Small Choices

We know nobody eats perfectly all the time (and we don’t think that should ever be the goal).

But sometimes small swaps can make a meaningful difference over time.

Strawberries happen to be one of those foods where we think paying a little more attention to how they’re grown is worthwhile. 

That’s also why we love working with growers like Ashbern Farms - people who care deeply about producing good food and doing things thoughtfully.

Because good food isn’t just about what ends up on your plate. It’s about the people growing it, the farming practices behind it, and feeling good about the choices you’re making for yourself and your family.

And if those choices happen to involve eating strawberries by the handful… we fully support that. 🍓💛



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