Farmers need Coles’ support

MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR supermarket chain Coles makes a big deal of supporting Australian farmers and producers and buying their goods.

Their ambassador chef Curtis Stone often fronts commercials and advertisements spruiking their close relationships with Aussie farmers and producers.

Statements on their website reinforce this: “Coles Group is committed to building strong and collaborative relationships with Australian farmers, producers and growers.

“Coles supermarkets has an Australian-first sourcing policy to provide Australian-grown fresh produce as a first priority. Ninety-six per cent of fresh produce and 100 per cent of fresh lamb, pork, chicken, beef, milk and eggs are sourced from Australian suppliers”.

Yet strangely it is making Tablelands producer Mungalli Creek Dairy prove that their dairy products such as yoghurt are worthy of being stocked on their shelves. Incidentally Mungalli goods are also available at rival Woolworths.

Mungalli has turned to social media to drum up support for its range of yoghurts.

“Coles have told us that they may delete our yoghurts if we cannot prove that our customers would shop elsewhere,” the post on Facebook read. “They are looking to improve their efficiencies by reducing brands that deliver directly to their stores. That includes local brands like Mungalli Creek. So we need your help to prove that you want Mungalli in Coles stores.”

Usually it’s a case of build it and they will come but not in Coles’ sake. So much for supporting local farmers. Nick Dalton

Deputy editor