Canned fruit going pear-shaped
Amid mounting concerns about the quality and sourcing of canned fruit products, Box Divvy – a leading advocate for fresh produce distribution – is urging farmers to prioritise fresh, locally grown produce for consumers.
This call comes in response to reports of Woolworths' growing reliance on imported fruit, underscoring the need to support local growers and foster a sustainable food ecosystem.
Since Woolworths announced its strategy of using imports to cut the cost of canned fruit, Australia’s largest cannery, SPC, based in Shepparton, Victoria, has decided to cut its intake of peaches and pears by over 40 per cent due to increased competition from cheaper imports and cost-of-living pressures.
“Consumers are opting for less expensive products from countries like South Africa and China, leading SPC to reduce orders. As a result, growers face tough decisions regarding their crops. Clearly, they cannot compete with cheap imports, and it is the farmers who are paying the price,” says Anton van den Berg, co-founder of Box Divvy, an innovative platform that connects communities with food producers.
Partnering with Box Divvy offers numerous benefits for Shepparton farmers, including increased market visibility, fair compensation, and support for sustainable farming practices. The platform's commitment to transparency ensures growers receive equitable compensation, with up to 60 cents of every dollar spent going directly to farmers while consumers get a higher quality and cheaper product.
"It's more than just backing Australian farmers; it's about advocating for a fundamental shift towards prioritising fresh, locally sourced produce over canned alternatives,” says Anton.
"With over 12,000 members and 250 food Hubs already operational across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and expanding to Victoria shortly, Box Divvy provides Shepparton farmers with a direct avenue to connect with consumers and participate in a community-driven, farm-to-table movement," Anton explains.
For more information see: www.boxdivvy.com
PHOTO: SPC, based in Shepparton, Victoria, has decided to cut its intake of peaches and pears by over 40 per cent due to increased competition from cheaper imports.
