With strawberry farmers across the nation receiving the worst of the strawberry recall, Wagga growers are confident their crop will not go to waste.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Strawberries have been pulled from supermarket shelves all over the country since a needle was discovered inside one on Thursday, September 13.
In a few weeks time, the Cashen family’s farm will start to see their first crops come through after planting 10,000 bushes on their property last October.
Food scientists and agriculturalists, Michael and Kylie Chasen founded ‘Bidgee Strawberries and Cream’ on Billagha Street, with the express purpose of allowing their visitors to pick their own fruit.
This point of difference, they believe will help them weather current national weariness for strawberries.
“People have a bit more confidence in them because they’ve picked them themselves,” said Michael Cashen.
With so few strawberries available in the major shopping centres at the moment, the scandal may even drive customers through the doors.
“My heart really goes out to the growers though,” said Mr Cashen.
“This has all coincided with the peak strawberry season in Queensland especially, so it’s come at a really bad time.”
But Mr Cashen is hopeful the national recall will fade into a distant memory by the time his fruit are ready for picking.
“They’ll start to come up in about October and be there until April,” he said.
“I’d hope the issues will be over by then.”
