Grower focused engagement together with brave, strong, and loud advocacy has come together during the past couple of months in a big way. Through inquiry upon inquiry, submissions, media, and lots of conversations with growers, QFVG has put forward the industry’s views and experiences.

On Monday I was before the Queensland supermarket inquiry committee representing thousands of growers too fearful of commercial retribution to represent themselves. A tough gig considering every grower is different to the next.

For many growers in Far North Queensland, Tropical Cyclone Jasper marked the beginning of a turbulent Summer. On a recent follow-up visit to the region, we spoke to growers still reeling from the impacts of Jasper and the subsequent rain that has only just eased.

For our growers who didn’t have time (or the inclination) to listen to day one of the Supermarket inquiry in Canberra we’ve put together the day in a nutshell (so to speak). 

Dr Craig Emerson certainly didn’t mince words this week with the release of the Interim Report for the Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

As Growcom’s Project Communications Officer with a previous life in the academy, I attend forums our growers may not have the time or resources to attend. It seems my seat at the recent Australian Academy of Science’s National Symposium, however, may have been better occupied by a grower in the flesh.

With Australian labour costs being some of the highest in the world, the adoption of emerging technologies could be the answer we’ve been looking for to keep the sector competitive.

Last week a major news outlet suggested that data does not back up farmers’ claims that the industry is in crisis. The data they were referring to, was a predicted 3% increase in production due to improved growing conditions.

In an industry renowned for being too hard and too complex, the task of educating decision makers to support them in making good decisions and keep them from making bad ones, is a full-time gig.

Fresh produce advocates like QFVG are very aware that the time is now to go hard, be brave and use political pressure around the cost-of-living crisis to drive change for our industry. Recent comments from the Prime Minister however, have left many growers angry and frustrated, and rightfully so.