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8 | March/April - 2017 | 9
R&D | VEGGIE BITES |
The National Health Survey 2014-15
revealed that on average, children aged
2-18 years consumed 1.9 serves of
vegetables each day in 2014-15.
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the
Australian Government.
Project Number: VG15027
INFO R&D
1 week
6000 BC 25 per cent 10 per cent
5-8 cm 95 grams
27 per cent 75 grams
Records show that capsicum has been
used in cooking since 6000 BC. It became
popular in Australia thanks to European
and Asian migrants. Source: Better Health
Channel ).
One serve of rhubarb provides a
good source of vitamin K (25 per
cent of the Recommended Dietary
Intake or four grams for fibre),
according to Veggycation®.
Veggycation® states that cooking turnip
retains vitamin C and potassium at 10 per
cent of the Recommended Dietary Intake
per serve, and recommends consumers
enjoy the vegetable stir-fried or steamed.
The Heart Foundation recommends that,
when sliced, pumpkin can be stored in the
refrigerator in an airtight container for up
to one week.
Project Harvest Wave 42 results show
that 27 per cent of consumers surveyed
suggested the availability of smaller
vegetable portions could help them
to reduce vegetable waste.
The National Health and Medical Research
Council defines a standard serve of
vegetables as approximately 75 grams.
Examples of a standard serve include half a
cup of cooked green or orange vegetables
or half a medium sweetpotato.
Dutch carrots are approximately five to
eight centimetres long (tapered) and are
grown mostly in Victoria and New South
Wales. Source: MarketFresh Australia
).
One serve of spinach is 95 grams (or half
a cup) and provides a good source of
vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as folate,
iron and magnesium. Source: Go For 2 &
5 ).
1.9 serves
THE NATIONAL VEGETABLE LEVY AT WORK
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and
development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government. Project Number: VG15027
The levy is paid by growers who produce vegetables in Australia.
• The charge is set at half of one per cent at the first point of sale.
The Federal Government also provides funding in addition to
grower levy payments. Once paid, these funds are managed by
Horticulture Innovation Australia.
WHO PAYS THE NATIONAL VEGETABLE LEVY?
HOW IS LEVY MONEY INVESTED?
HOW CAN GROWERS GET INVOLVED?
Vegetable growers play a fundamental role in advising on the allocation of both levy and co-investment funds,
and will be engaged in extensive consultation with Hort Innovation in regional grower meetings, industry-specific
consultation programs and individual grower and grower group consultation. Growers can also submit ideas for
R&D projects via Hort Innovation’s Concept Portal at
For more information about the National Vegetable Levy, visit
There are now two pools with different funding priorities.
Pool 1 is funded by grower levies with contributions from the
Federal Government. This pool has a one to five year scope
and will invest in applied R&D designed to directly benefit
growers. This includes pest and disease management and
biosecurity matters, with findings communicated through a
variety of channels including Vegetables Australia.
Pool 2 has a one to 15 year scope and matches strategic
co-investment funds with at least $20 million, at the Pool’s
maturity, of government seed funds annually. This pool aims
to address multi- and cross-industry challenges and
opportunities of strategic and long-term importance to
Australia’s horticulture industries.
Six ‘Foundation Funds’ have so far been established in Pool 2 and
will work with an expert panel to direct strategic projects.
They are:
• The Leadership and People Development Fund
• The Fruit Fly Fund
• The Asian Markets Fund
• The Green Cities Fund
• The Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Fund
• Pollination Fund
POOL 1
1-5 Year scope
Hort Innovation Advisory Mechanism
& Procurement Process
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits
Grower
Levy funds
POOL 2
1-15 Year scope
Australian horticulture
Contributed funds
Industry consultation
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits