Sustainable farm Loop Growers washed away by floodwaters, north of Brisbane

A family run sustainable farm just north of Brisbane - and primary producer for Alphabet Cafe, Netherworld, Lucky Duck and more - had seven years of work washed away by floodwaters.

A family run sustainable farm just north of Brisbane - and primary producer for Alphabet Cafe, Netherworld, Lucky Duck and more - had seven years of hard work washed away by floodwaters, leaving the owners heartbroken.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, is located at Highvale north Brisbane.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, at Highvale north of Brisbane has been completely destroyed by floodwaters over the weekend. Photo: Contributed.

Alice Star and Phil Garozzo met eight years ago and bonded over a passion for sustainability - a year or so later Loop Growers was born.

Loop is a “closed-loop” farm that grows seasonal produce for local businesses while diverting kitchen scraps from landfill. It is on property belonging to Alice Star’s father, that has been in the family for over a decade.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, at Highvale north of Brisbane has been completely destroyed by floodwaters over the weekend. Photo: Contributed.

Alice and Phil manage the farm and have spent the last seven years working every day to build it into what it was before the floods. They are the primary producers for about 20 Brisbane based restaurants and cafes. They have also created a close-knit community through hosting workshops, farm tours, farmer meetups, fundraisers and community dinners.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, at Highvale north of Brisbane has been completely destroyed by floodwaters over the weekend. Photo: Contributed.

When the flooding started to rise on Friday Alice and Phil evacuated the animals while everything else was washed away or destroyed.

Alice’s sisters, Jean Cotterell and Billie Star, have started a GoFundMe page to help them get back on their feet. In just a few days more than $27k has already been raised.

Alice Star and Phil Garozzo met eight years ago and bonded over their passion for sustainability, then a year or so later Loop Growers was born. Photo: Contributed.

“All crops were submerged and their precious healthy topsoil is being eroded. Three buildings full of equipment have been flooded,” Jean and Billie said.

“Thousands of dollars of materials have been damaged or washed away, including seed raising mix, bins for collecting compost, electric power tools, hand tools, repair and mechanical work for machinery, dog food, chicken food and submerged buildings and cars.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, at Highvale north of Brisbane has been completely destroyed by floodwaters over the weekend. Photo: Contributed.

“Gushing water was three metres over the cultivation and sweeping through the farm.

“All the buildings have washed away and everything in them. The farm has almost nothing now.

“Seven years of hard work literally down the drain.”

Jean and Billie said they were out at the farm this week to help with the clean up and were blown away by the amount of damage.

Alice Star and Phil Garozzo met eight years ago and bonded over their passion for sustainability, then a year or so later Loop Growers was born. Photo: Contributed.

“We just can’t believe it’s all gone. It’s just been so heartbreaking to see life’s work washed away,” they said.

“There’s been so many tears and we’re all so devastated.

“Once the floodwaters go down we will have to all pitch in and do a big clean-up and then we’ll be trying to rebuild.

Loop Growers, run and owned by the Star family from Brisbane, at Highvale north of Brisbane has been completely destroyed by floodwaters over the weekend. Photo: Contributed.

“But it’s going to take a long time to be functional again and for them to be able to earn an income or supply produce.”

The girls said their sister and Phil were blown away by the amazing support from their community and were thankful for all of the donations so far.