RIVERINA’S reputation for its local, fresh produce could be tarnished if the food bowl is deprived of Australian-grown frozen vegetables, a farmer claims.
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Foreign multinationals are poised to drive the country’s last remaining local manufacturer, Simplot, from the industry – seizing full control of the market.
In a twist of the knife, Simplot’s financial struggles could cast the future of the official Chiko Roll into uncertainty.
The community has begun to rally behind the company’s flagship brands, Birdseye and Edgell, to show their support for local produce.
Springvale farmer Anthony Stevens said it was a “sign of the times”, arguing the region’s reputation would be jeopardised if Simplot could no longer remain financially viable.
“It’s really quite sad that we’re being faced with this prospect,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on fresh, high quality produce and I can’t help but feel it detracts from that when you can only buy overseas veggies.
“Now is the most important time for people to show they care and support the local producers.”
The vegetable processor has made significant moves towards cost saving over the last few years.
In 2013, they warned two of their processing facilities may need to shut because Australian grown and processed vegetables were “uncompetitive” in the local market.
Early this year, it was projected the increasing cost of gas in Australia would slug the company $4 million in revenue.
The issue shows similarities to the dairy milk producer crisis, which became a viral campaign in 2016.
Shoppers at Lake Albert Foodworks were shocked to learn they may no longer be able to buy locally-produced frozen vegetables.
After Sharon Johntson web-searched the on-going struggles of the Australian veggies producer, she opted to buy Simplot products.
“It’s not something you hear a lot about like the stuff with the dairy farmers,” she said.
“If it costs everyone an extra dollar or two a week to support an Australian company and Australian jobs, then it seems like a small sacrifice.
Managing director of Simplot Terry O’Brien told Fairfax Media this year the company can no longer pass on their rising production costs to consumers.
"There's just no opportunity at the moment to increase prices,” he said.