Organically Aussie

Hi friends, I have a really important topic to talk about today. I came across a an interesting documentary last week published by the ABC (Australian Broadcast Service) about how the two big Australian supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, exploit farmers, and force them into taking miniscule payment for previously agreed upon amounts. There was one farmer who said a delivery to Coles of multiple tonnes of, I believe kale, was sent to Coles for an agreed upon amount (I believe it for $20,000) was rejected by the Coles and the farmer for reasons undisclosed to the farmer, who was then told they would only pay him $7000, which didn’t even cover the cost of harvesting the kale. There have been many farmers who have given up on farming because of the difficulty in dealing with the supermarket giants.

In the documentary, they also made claims about Coles and Woolworths’ tactics in limiting competition. They use their immense power to buy smaller supermarkets (Kaufland was apparently taken up by Woolworths when they attempted to take on the Australian market). They also buy land and leases then never use them. By doing this, they make it so no one else can use the space either. With using these tactics, the duo hold over 60% of the Australian market. With smaller player, Aldi, holding around 10%, then the rest is held by very small payers, like IGA, Drakes, Foodworks, ect. Compare that to the UK, with around five major players in the supermarket game. I think its pretty common knowledge, at least in Australia, that supermarkets take advantage of farmers, but to really discover the extent, that they were literally causing farmers to lose their livelihoods and close and sell their farms that had been in their families for hundreds of years. It is just heartbreaking to me to understand the full extent of it.

With the gain of this knowledge, my husband and I have decided to prioritise not using the big two supermarkets as much as possible. Unfortunately, there is limited choices where we live. What we have decided to do as a way to combat the use of these giants, is as follows:

• Small farmers market for produce
  • Local farmers for beef and pork, which we already do.
  • Local green grocer and butcher for other meat, produce and some pantry items
  • Online ordering for bulk pantry items (flour, sugar, baking supplies, rice, pasta, some cleaning products)
  • IGA for local dairy products and some pantry and cleaning products
  • Local chemist for health food items. They have a range of health foods

The reason we hadn’t already done this yet, is cost. Unfortunately, there is quite a price discrepancy between the giants and the smaller shops because of the buying power of Coles and Woolworths. With grocery inflation being what it is these days, everyone is feeling the pinch at the store, and the big two just take advantage of people wanting to spend the least amount as possible, which I fully understand wanting to spend the least possible. Its crazy just how bad inflation at the moment, but my husband and I have decided its something that matters deeply to us both, and that means we have made the decision that it is worth it to us to support the people who grow our foods, and who will spend their profits on their daughters ballet lessons or sons soccer lessons, rather than a millionaire CEO or billion dollar company. We want our money choices to actually mean something to someone.Of course we know that just us limiting our use of the big two will do nothing to change the reality of the economy in Australia right now, but, it does mean that we can hold our heads high and know that our money is not participating in the decline of the farming community, and is supporting locally owned and operated businesses. While I completely understand that people need to do the best they can in supporting their own families and making sure they have healthy foods to eat, I would really like to encourage you, no matter where you are in the world, to support your locals. Support the small businesses. Support the local farmers. Make your money count and vote with your dollar.

Love Ashlee