Be sure to thank a farmer this Christmas

In order to ensure that there is still plenty of beautiful produce to add to our various Christmas feasts, growers will be out in the paddocks picking the cabbages for the coleslaw. 

They’ll also be gathering the cauliflowers for the gratin, the cherries and berries that make an Aussie Christmas so special and the many other products we take for granted will be available for our tables.

While they may join their families for lunch, they will still have been up picking and packing.

The Christmas toast is traditionally a way to thank the cook.

However, this year, members of the Victorian Farmers Federation’s horticulture group are encouraging revellers to take it one step further.

Imagine how much cheer could be spread if every family selected just one Aussie product on their table during the Christmas and New Year week, investigated where it came from and how it got to the table, and then sent a message of thanks to the farmer at the bottom of the chain. 

Instead of heading straight to the big two, why not try and purchase one product direct from the growers. 

Alternatively, get it from retail outlets that can let you know where the product came from and how much they paid the farmer for their product. 

This Christmas, take note of the boxes at your local fruit and vegetable store and see if you can Google the farm name. So many growers are working hard to differentiate themselves and provide a link from food back to farm.

Send them a message, say thank you and spread some of that Christmas and New Year cheer. 

After a year in which horticultural growers have been somewhat vilified, it's important to note that consumers have an amazing power.

If you understand where your produce comes from – and ensure that those who grew it receive a fair return – society sets a standard of fairness that will outdo any legislation that the bureaucracy and unions can dream up and that the big two can manipulate.