“Fresh Food
Awareness Rally” 25 August 2012
THE RALLY WENT WELL WITH THOUSANDS ATTENDING, MORE SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND GROWERS IS ON THE WAY, KEEP AN EYE ON THIS SITE, WE WILL BE BRINGING THE FARM TO YOU....Mark
There are many issues facing the future of Australia. One of
the most important and topical issues is our fresh food future, the future of
jobs on our farms, the quality and price of our food and most importantly the
quality and freshness of the produce available into our future.
Our producers face many issues that do not ensure equitable
or fair trading practices.
Australian
consumers are short changed by dodgy labelling which makes supporting home grown
produce a task in itself.
Foreign governments subsidise their producers to increase
their export potential, while our government do little to nothing to support our
hard working farmers and growers.
(Feel free to click on and download the flyers for distribution, right click on any and save)
In fact while the government impose strict
guidelines on our growers, they don’t even do the justice of ensuring imported
goods meet the same criteria.
In the US and most countries, competition and fair play in
the grocery market is protected.
The largest grocery stores rarely exceed 10%
of the market share. In England the big 2 control some 48% of the total sales
resulting in many reports of market manipulation, which has seen many local
producers being forced off the land.
In Australia the federal government have had their head in
the sand. With Coles and Woolworths now holding well over 80% of the market,
and using that domination to ride rough shod over our local hardworking farms
and producers.
I doubt the people of this fine country would be privy to the
fact that in less than 5 years at the current rate of resulting farm closures we
will be totally reliant on imported goods with no primary grocery production
left. Leaving future generations at the mercy of the self interest of big
business and without the quality of produce we have all enjoyed as a nation.
The “awareness day” in the most is about reminding people
about the importance of buying local which has so many benefits. Employment,
our nation’s food security, quality of produce, our heritage and most
importantly a fair go for all.
With many produce markets on board, hundreds of producers
showing their support and some big names attending on the day, it is sure to
bring public awareness to the many issues at hand.
The rally will be a family friendly day, where farmers and
growers can show case their fresh produce. Families can pick up some great
bargains, our children can taste test local produce against inferior imported
goods, while the political message will be all about a fair go and our long
term future.
The message to our representatives and the corporate sector
will be all about our future, our food security, accountability and fair play.
Messages relating to dodgy trading practices and labelling
issues, shelving allocation, the percentage of Aussie made produce being sold
in the nations grocery stores, possible tariff protections, the sale of prime
farming land into foreign ownership and market domination, will not over power
the atmosphere of this important day.
Those attending with such messages will locate further down
Main North Road outside the Woolworths head office. Placards and truck mounted
signs will also be part of the larger message for passing motorists on the
western side of the road.
Invites have been sent to many well known Australian
politicians, celebrities and supporters, as well as many in the industry.
Further
information will be made available by phoning Mark Aldridge the event organiser
on 08 82847482/ 0403379500.
*The event will be held on Main North Road at Pooraka
adjacent “Unity Park” from 12.00pm on the eastern side of the road. Lane 3 will
be restricted for parking and extra parking is available in Unity Park.*
Email: aldridgemark@bigpond.com