Farmers urge consumers to 'buy Australian'

I can't believe that with all the wonderful fresh fruit we have in Australia, that in the last several weeks we were faced with a hepatitis A outbreak because of imported berries.....I am aghast with people not realising that our Australian fruit is fabulous...to say nothing of the very strict controls we have here.  I was reading an article from the The Victorian Farmers Federation and this is what it said:

            "The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) urged consumers to buy Australian-grown produce in the wake of the hepatitis A outbreak.  VFF's Peter Toohey said stricter standards here ensured eating Australian-grown fruit was safe.

            "We want to talk about the quality of Australian fruit and vegies - best in the world," Mr Toohey said.  "Most regulated in the world, to make sure that they're clean and healthy. Everything along the whole supply chain is checked off to make sure that we could [produce] really good, clean fruit. No contamination issues."

Image - Mornington Peninsula Produce- here

Now that gets me thinking I should stress again the Farmers Gate which I have posted about on previous occasions.  This is straight from the Australian farmers......no thirdperson involved.......and you can't get any fresher than that.  Have you tried them?

I thought with the long weekend this weekend, this is a good chance for those who could be visiting the Mornington Peninsula to take advantage of the many Farmers who are listed on the brochure "Farm Gate".  These are usually available at the tourist bureau or from the Farmers Gate.

There are many and varied different  farmers who are selling their beautifully fresh Australian produce.  Why not get along this weekend and enjoy the "fruits of their labour" so to speak!  At the "Farm Gate"...included on the list are...the hours of operation...the produce available... and the time of year the produce is available.  I found this to be invaluable and would recommend you get a copy of this Farm Gate list when you are next on the Peninsula or download it...here

Here are a few of the farm gates I have visited:

Mock Orchards & Totally Pure Fruits, 1095 Mornington Flinders Road, Red Hill,  is one of the Farm Gates I would recommend, the produce is certified Demeter bio-dynamic and has been in existence since 1974...a good recommendation...here

Del Grosso's Orchard, 101A Stanleys Road, Red Hill South and they  grow apples: Pink Lady, Fuji, Jonagold, Delicious and Granny Smith.  Also delicious cherries, plums, pears and nashi fruit and are open every day during summer...here

Pure Peninsula Honey, Derril Road, Moorooduc this is an education if nothing else. What I learnt about bees was astounding......maybe you are aware of what these little creatures are capable of etc., but I wasn't and it was fascinating.  This property is very interesting because of its production of an extensive range of 100% pure Australian honey and related products, farm shop and mock apiary....here

Pure Peninsula Honey, Derril Road Moorooduc Produce - Farm Gate 

There are many, many more Farm Gates and produce of course, and a visit to the extensive Mornington Peninsula website will provide you with all the information you need to purchase some wonderful produce at very good prices...and of course, helping our Australian Farmers....here

Image - Peninsula Page

Do try and go along to these Farm Gates......they are excellent Australian value.......Wendy