SO Biodynamic Medium Grain Brown Rice 1kg
Demeter certified biodynamic medium grain brown rice, grown and milled on a single family farm at Fairy Hill in the Northern Rivers - less than two hours from Byron Bay.
This rice comes from Slater Farms, a family farm run by Brett and Karen Slater near Casino in the Northern Rivers of NSW. Brett moved to organic farming in 1998, converted to biodynamic growing in 2004, and grew his first dryland rice crop in 2009. In 2010 he set up his own mill on the farm - so this rice is grown, harvested, and milled on the same property, giving Santos complete traceability from paddock to bag.
The key distinction is how the rice is grown: without irrigation. Slater Farms calls it "Rainfed Rice" - it relies on Northern Rivers rainfall rather than the large-scale water diversion that conventional Australian rice farming depends on. Growing rice this way in the Northern Rivers is unusual. Most Australian rice is grown in the Riverina using extensive irrigation infrastructure. Brett's dryland approach is a genuinely different production method, suited to the subtropical rainfall patterns of the Northern Rivers hinterland.
The rice is medium grain and brown - the bran layer intact, which means slightly more chew and a nuttier flavour than white rice, and a longer cooking time. The biodynamic growing process, certified by Demeter (Certificate No: 717), uses no synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, working instead with the biological cycles of the farm to build soil health over time.
Why people love it
- Demeter biodynamic certified (Certificate No: 717), the most rigorous organic certification standard available in Australia
- HACCP certified (Certificate No: FS300619) for food safety
- Grown and milled on the same farm by Brett and Karen Slater at Fairy Hill near Casino, Northern Rivers NSW
- "Rainfed Rice" - grown without irrigation using natural Northern Rivers rainfall
- Medium grain brown rice - bran layer intact for fuller flavour and texture
- No synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilisers
- Grown less than two hours from Byron Bay - as local as rice gets for a Santos customer
- Vegan, gluten free
- 1kg bag
How to cook it
Brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice and benefits from soaking first.
Soaking (recommended): rinse and soak in cold water for 30 to 60 minutes before cooking. Discard the soaking water. Soaking softens the bran layer and reduces cooking time.
Basic method: combine 1 cup of brown rice with 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes without lifting the lid. Remove from heat and rest for 10 minutes with the lid on before serving.
Rice cooker: use a 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water) and use the brown rice setting if your cooker has one.
Medium grain brown rice is slightly stickier than long grain when cooked, which makes it suitable for:
- Everyday meal base alongside curries, stir-fries, and grilled vegetables
- Grain bowls and Buddha bowls
- Fried rice (cook the rice ahead and refrigerate overnight for best results)
- Rice salads served warm or at room temperature
- Congee and rice porridge (use more water and cook longer)
- Onigiri and rice balls if pressed while warm
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Brown rice contains more natural oils than white rice and can go rancid faster - refrigerate in warmer months for best freshness. Use within 6 to 12 months of opening.
Ingredients
100% Demeter certified biodynamic medium grain brown rice.
Gluten free. Vegan.
May contain traces of gluten, soy, and other allergens (confirm from current batch label before publishing).
Country of origin: Grown and milled in Australia (Fairy Hill, Northern Rivers NSW).
Certification: Demeter Biodynamic (Certificate No: 717). HACCP (Certificate No: FS300619).
About Slater Farms
Slater Farms is a family-owned biodynamic farm at Fairy Hill near Casino in the Northern Rivers of NSW, run by Brett and Karen Slater. Brett moved to organic farming in 1998 and converted to biodynamic growing in 2004. He grew his first dryland rice crop in 2009 and set up an on-farm mill in 2010 to produce rice grown and processed entirely on the property. Slater Farms is Demeter biodynamic certified (No: 717) and HACCP certified for food safety.
Why Santos Organics
Santos has been the Northern Rivers' organic food shop since 1978. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, every purchase supports our work in community food systems, supporting local producers like Slater Farms, and the Grow the Growers project. We stock Slater Farms because it is grown two hours up the road by a farmer who has been doing this the right way for over 25 years - and because Demeter biodynamic certification is the highest standard we can offer.
Santos Organics is not your average grocery store; it's a not-for-profit social enterprise and environmental charity. Since 1978, we've pioneered the organic wholefood movement. Our stores serve as community hubs where people connect with our team and fellow community members, sharing a journey toward optimal health and wellness. The palpable sense of community forms part of the social and cultural fabric of the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers. Employing over 70 passionate locals, we support hundreds of local farmers, makers, and artisans, promoting the local economy, building community resilience, and strengthening the local food system. Approximately 75% of the food on our shelves is locally grown, produced, or supplied, nurturing interconnectedness and supporting those passionate about clean, wholesome food and sustainable living.
Santos Organics makes conscious shopping easy by sourcing the best organic food and natural lifestyle products. We invest in ethics research through a dedicated Ethics Specialist position, ensuring our products meet rigorous standards before reaching our shelves. Our Care Check process aligns products with our social impact and environmental goals, providing customers with confidence in their purchases. Our commitment to ethical product procurement extends to partnerships with local farmers through initiatives like the Grow the Growers Project. This project helps local farmers establish pathways to the organic retail market, making fresh, locally grown organic food more available and affordable. By incorporating supply agreements and mutual marketing support, we foster connections between customers and the farmers behind their food.
Santos Organics significantly impacts the local community and economy. Over the last three years, our investments in local employment, goods from local suppliers and distributors, rent, and hiring local tradespeople have retained over $26 million within the Northern Rivers. In the past year alone, $5.3 million was circulated back into the local economy through these efforts, supporting over 100 Northern Rivers-based suppliers and distributors. This investment sustains our community's vitality and unique culture. Employing over 70 local team members ensures money stays within the local economy, enhancing opportunities for community interaction and support. Our local suppliers share our vision of promoting creative, sustainable, and healthy product development, strengthening the reputation of the Byron Bay region as a hub for innovation and sustainability.
