Northern Pioneers

By Head of Engagement & Advocacy, Angela Williams

Late last year we met with banana, papaya, mango and vegetable growers in the far north, the same growers who helped shape our national We Give a Fork campaign. It was time to ask what they thought of the campaign. What was the verdict?

In true North Queensland pioneering spirit and grit, and with loud and raw voices, growers told us to ‘go hard or go home’, to make sure we hear other grower’s stories from across the nation, and to fight on their behalf to achieve lasting impact for growers and horticulture. They want us to ensure the invisible are visible.

They also applauded the three key issues the campaign is addressing - margin squeeze and the escalating costs of doing business, policy pile on, and our brand or reputation as a sector. All this through grower stories highlighting the complexity of the horticulture industry.

In this year of Partners Who Care and amidst the positive support and momentum that is building in the field, this is what our grower partners in the Far North want to see happen now.

In no particular order… growers deserve:

• The ability to pay themselves and be treated fairly and ethically as they pay and treat their workers. One rule for all.
• Viable farms and profitable agri-businesses.
• A transparent, fair and free market where retail margins are shared.
• A price above the cost of production like the rest of the supply chain.
• Respect for their efficiency, innovation and quality produce.
• Politicians who genuinely take them seriously and consumers who value and eat their produce.
• Practical government policy and a winding back of what is not working.
• Accessible mental health supports outside 9 - 5 office hours.
• Practical, consistent compliance that makes sense.
• Not to be threatened, bullied or subject to stand over tactics by auditors of any persuasion. This is their home as well as their workplace.
• A peak industry body that has their back.

Most of all, growers want action not just words, even if it is again pioneering into the great unknown.