A small group of people concerned about the use of chemicals and GM in food growing and farming, and produce being shipped half way round the country or the world (amongst many other issues), and wanting safe, healthy and preferably local food for their families and friends, decided to get together to discuss the issues and try do something to solve or overcome them. At that point they knew little of what local produce was available and were surprised to learn how few organic farmers were on the Central Coast. Discussions began in July 2008 and FIG opened its doors in February 2009.