New Bargara residents Mark Pages and Gladys de Swart are taking advantage of the region's perfect algae-growing conditions to continue work through their business, Phytality Nutrition.
The duo have brought their family-owned company to the area after recently relocating from northern New South Wales.
The innovative small business focuses on algae and plant-based nutrition and offers nutrient dense algae wholefood supplements to support people’s health and wellbeing.
On a trip together to Bargara in 2021, Mark and Gladys fell in love with the relaxed village vibe of the area and its beautiful coastline.
“We love the Bundaberg Region's climate, which is ideal for growing algae,” Mark said.
Phytoplankton and micro-algae have been a part of their diet for over 15 years and supported their health and general wellbeing while raising two children.
Mark has spent over 16 years living and working in Europe, focusing on the research, development and commercial production of algae and seaweed solutions for human health.
Gladys is originally from the Netherlands with a background in Human Resource Management as well as being an accredited yoga teacher/therapist.
Gladys is responsible for Phytality's administration and customer service.
The couple said a positive in relocating to the Bundaberg Region was the future potential to grow marine micro-algae in the area.
They said Bundaberg's climate was suitable for producing many different varieties of algae.
The method Phytality uses to grow phytoplankton is to isolate the plants from the ocean and grow them in an on-shore facility.
They said the phytoplankton or algae in Phytality's products were not harvested from the sea, so the sea-life food source was not disrupted.Â
Of particular focus for Phytality is the Vegan Omega-3 and wholefood multi which comes from phytoplankton, a type of marine micro-algae that originates from the ocean.Â
Phytality products are available from Of The Earth Juice Bar and Health Shop in Bargara, online phytality.com.au and other health food stores.
