It all started seven years ago when co-owner Bernie Morrow and his wife Alison had their first child and felt strongly about eating healthy, chemical free food. Bernie said the idea for the business came about because they were a young family and found it difficult to afford organic food and new others in the same situation.

He started The organic collective with his friend Damian Reid and they supplied 30 families with affordable and locally grown organic fruit and vegetables through a mixed seasonal box scheme.

Bernie said they had enjoyed success through the years as the business encouraged a broad cross section of the community to adopt a healthier food alternative.

Challenges along the way included making the organic collective sustainable with its energy and power use, waste solutions, transport and general business running. "We uphold a strong ethical business philosophy," he said.

"We are motivated by the need for more environmental awareness for the way our food is farmed and awareness and consciousness how the food we eat affects our own health and the health of the planet."

Being organic was about producing food the old fashioned way, without using hormones and artificial fertilisers.

Bernie said the City of Cockburn's sustainability awards were fantastic as they acknowledged the efforts of residents, community groups, business and schools to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for the planet.

The Better Tomorrow Awards were launched in May and The organic collective has been cited as an initiative that could be nominated. There are three categories, environmental, social and economic wellbeing......Visit www.cockburn.wa.gov.au for information on the awards.