Less than a week before the State goes to the polls and calls for the major parties to buy locally grown foods for government run institutions grow louder.
Representatives from the Victorian food industry have united in the the Pro-Local Supply Working Group and developed the “Full Value for Victorian Food Procurement Policy” that urges members of parliament to put locally sourced food on the agenda to support the Victorian food industry.
The Australian public is also backing the policy move, showing their support for locally sourced foods via the social media campaign #demandlocalsupply. Sparked by an initial post on Facebook by SPC Ardmona, a member of the Pro-Local Supply Working Group, thousands have now pledged their support for the campaign sharing the hashtag and signing the online petition at www.demandlocalsupply.com.au.
This public support underpins what Aussie farmers have been battling with for some time. Fourth generation Kialla East fruit grower, and Fruitgrowers Victoria deputy chair Gary Godwill said it was time that Australia caught up with the rest of the world.
“My family has been growing fruit for more than 160 years and I’m shocked that our government doesn’t do more to protect our local industry,” Mr Godwill said.
“I am sure that many Victorian fruit growers could have avoided the heartache of ripping up their fruit trees because of the influx of cheap imports that were purchased by our government.
Seventeen of our fellow G20 countries have pro-local procurement policies in place including the UK, US, China and India and Australia should follow these examples, Mr Godwill said.
The Pro-Local Supply Working Group includes other growers and industry bodies including AUSVEG, SPC, Australian Made, the Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC), the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) and the Victorian Famers Federation (VFF).
The proposed policy sets out rather than purchasing the cheapest food available, decision makers would have assess broader selection criteria of value for money (including food safety and quality); ethical sourcing; environmental sustainability; and benefits to the Australian economy.
AUSVEG representative Andrew White said the Victorian Government needed to consider the full social and economic value that purchasing locally grown produce injected into the Victorian economy.
“Our food is produced to the highest quality and standards to ensure that it’s clean, green and safe for our families,” Mr White said.
SPC Ardmona managing director Peter Kelly said it was about more than just fruit.
“Sourcing from local supply is about all Aussie suppliers getting a fair go for these Government contracts. That’s all we’re asking for,” Mr Kelly said.
