Did you know that just one extra serving of vegetables a day could not only boost your health, but also support local farmers, save you money, and contribute to a better economy? Sounds like a win-win, right?
Here at the Market, there is nothing we love more than supporting local and regional vegetable growers, many of who have been doing it tough lately. And guess what – you can make a real difference just by buying more fresh, local veggies!
According to recent research from AUSVEG, together with Outdoor Media Association and Health and Wellbeing Queensland, there are some alarming numbers around our vegetable purchasing and eating habits. Around 72% of consumers are saying that the rising cost of living is impacting how much they’re buying veggies, and a staggering 93% of Australians aren’t eating enough of them. In fact, less than 1 in 15 adults are getting the recommended serves of veggies every single day.
But here’s the kicker – while people aren’t buying enough veggies, growers are stuck with an over-supply, making it harder to stay afloat. And more than a third of Australian vegetable growers are seriously considering leaving the industry within the next year due to rising costs and falling demand.
Buying just one extra serving of fresh veggies from your local or regional grower could make a huge difference. Not only does it support the local farming community, but it also helps with the supply-demand issue and keeps those delicious, fresh veggies coming.
Aussie veggie growers are vital for keeping the country healthy. As Michael Coote, CEO of AUSVEG, put it, “One extra serving of vegetables per person per day could add $4.68 billion to the economy by 2030, create thousands of jobs, and help reduce healthcare costs from chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.”
Now that’s something we can all get behind! Plus, it’s super easy – we’ve got some amazing fresh veggies right at your doorstep at the Market.
At the Market, we’ve got around 25 fresh vegetable growers, with 20+ attending each week. These growers include local legends like Dilliro Vegetables, Wollondilly Produce, B&S Produce, Ingelara, Majestic Mushrooms, and many more. These guys are passionate about what they do, and it shows in the quality of their produce.
Tobias, Beatrice, and Laurence Koenig from Ingelara have firsthand experience with the challenges farmers are facing, but they’ve also got great advice for us. They say shopping at the Market is a great way to get higher quality veggies at affordable prices – plus, they last longer thanks to the fresh grower-to-market approach.
“In addition to fresh, seasonal veggies, you’re getting produce that’s harvested just one or two days before market morning. You get to meet your farmers and eat seasonally, knowing that your shopping is directly supporting the farming industry,” says Tobias. Each week the Market is packed with great seasonal veggies which right now include crisp salad greens, pumpkins, potatoes, corn, capsicums, tomatoes, and so much more. So, come on down to the Market this Saturday, grab some fresh produce, and show your support for local growers.
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