If there’s one thing the past few weeks of international restrictions has undeniably proved it is the importance of supporting local.
Whilst the sentiment is easy to accept and get behind in theory, the how is sometimes a bit more difficult to pinpoint.
The growers industry is not only the backbone of our dining, but a massive exporter in SA and Australia.
In 2018 to 2019, horticulture, from fruits, nuts, and vegetables generated up to $1.77 billion in primary industries and agribusiness revenue.
From the veggies that you come across your weekly shop to the local green grocer to the major export destinations for SA produce (China, Japan and NZ), our produce makes its way to numerous different places.
With the COVID-19 restrictions put into place, one such grower, Ashley Green of Lenswood Apples tells us that we’re looking at uncertain trading in the coming months.
Amongst the plethora of industries feeling the immense pressure of restrictions, for the moment, South Australian growers like Lenswood Apples are yet to see a dramatic change.
“As a business we’re slightly disadvantaged because we can’t fly to Victoria and NSW to visit head buyers for Woolies and Coles, but apples are moving around,” Ashley says.
But the fear for growers is the coming months, while there’s potential for good sales but uncertainty also looms.
In short, the answer to this inconsistency in market is for the public to remain consistent.
With students staying at home, with families opting for delivery, the culture around eating has changed to ensure people are staying healthy.
The absence of school lunch boxes plays a large part the culture around eating apples, Ashley says.
Outside of the support from local SA buyers, the focus on health has also increased. With the inevitable decrease in day to day exercise due to many locals now working from home, there’s a greater need to be eating healthy.
“When you’re snacking at home make it a biscuit and an apple, or two apples, that’s even better,” Ashley says.
This is even more enticing when the produce is fresh, local, and for the betterment of your health.
Generally, supermarkets and grocers underpin South Australia’s farmed produce with their fierce support, always opting to stock local first.
For the public, it’s simply attending the farmers markets, which are deemed as essential food retailers, and getting into the practice at supermarkets to ask if the produce you’re purchasing is locally sourced.
Or, better yet, opt for fruit and vegetables that are in season as opposed to internationally imported counter-seasonal produce. Purchasing stone fruit, grapes, and cherries in the winter? They’re likely sourced from the US.
“It never hurts to ask when you’re there,” Ashley says.
Produce is something South Australians will never have to be worried about running out of.
For example, SA produces more that 188,000 tonnes of citrus, including oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes, tangelos, tangerines and grapefruit, in just a year.
Enough to feed everybody.
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