Aussie consumers are being urged to support their local vegetable growers this festive season and buy plenty of high-quality fresh vegetables over the holiday period, including for their Christmas meals and their holiday BBQs.

A wide variety of fresh, clean and tasty vegetable produce will be available at all major retailers, independent grocers and markets across the country this holiday season in spite of the struggles growers are facing sourcing labour, the increasing drought conditions and the fires affecting many parts of rural Australia.

“Supermarket shelves and market stalls will all be filled with fresh, high-quality vegetable produce for consumers leading into Christmas and the New Year,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Shaun Lindhe.

“This time of year is the busiest for growers in the vegetable industry as they work tirelessly to make sure there is an abundant supply of the highest quality vegetables for consumers.

“In spite of the difficulties businesses are having sourcing labour and dealing with the ever-worsening drought and fires, local growers are able to get their product from the farm to supermarket and greengrocer shelves – they just need shoppers to buy them!

“Aussies have a long tradition of stacking their plates with veggies for the festive season, whether it be for a Chrismas lunch or a salad to go with a holiday BBQ, and we hope this year will be no different for those who love their salad and veggies over the holiday period.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australian vegetable and potato growers, who, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, produced over $4 billion worth of vegetables and potatoes in 2017/18.

“There’s no question that Australian growers are doing it tough as they continue to face increasingly difficult times due to tighter profit margins, harsh environmental conditions and increasing costs,” said Mr Lindhe.

“That being said, Australia’s vegetable growers are hardworking and dedicated to feeding a growing population with high-quality clean, green and delicious vegetables all year round for local and international consumers.

“Aussie consumers are lucky that they have the availability of locally-grown, healthy fresh vegetables all year round, so we are asking for consumers to support their local farmers and buy plenty of fresh vegetables during the busiest time of the year for our industry.”

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au