Telling strawberry story
QUEENSLAND strawberry consumers may soon know the backstory of their fruit as State Government money helps firm up traceability and integrity in the supply chain, improving industry export opportunities.
As the Cairns Post ends a seven-part series on the industry’s recovery following the September sabotage crisis, industry spokesman Sean Dignum says the strawberry industry, and Australian food production generally, already has an enviable global reputation for food safety and security.
But directing part of the State Government’s $1 million industry assistance package, announced following the September sabotage, toward firming up details of the supply line would only further benefit the industry.
Establishing “provenance’’ of food is a rapidly growing global trend as consumers seek not merely safety and security, but the novelty value of knowing the background of food production.
“Improvements to the system will better establish the quality of the product at the time it leaves the farm gate,’’ Mr Dignum said.
That will be of great benefit not only to the consumer, but to the farmer.
Strawberry growers like Kiara Carmichael have expressed thanks to the Queensland community which got behind the industry following the September sabotage, when needles were inserted in fruit.
The industry is expected to make a public declaration of appreciation within the next few weeks after consumers flooded on to farms to buy strawberries and businesses came up with innovative ways to use strawberries.