MARK M ALDRIDGE "Community Advocate" SA - FOOD SECURITY BY THE PEOPLE a.userlink { color: #253741; } a.userlink:visited { color: #6a818c; } a.userlink:hover { color: #005e85; } font[size="1"] { font-size:10px; } font[size="2"] { font-size:13px; } font[size="3"] { font-size:16px; } font[size="4"] { font-size:18px; } font[size="5"] { font-size:24px; } font[size="6"] { font-size:32px; } font[size="7"] { font-size:48px; } .GuestBookMessage { font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 13px; } .GuestBookMessageRow { font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px; } .GuestBookHeader { font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-size: 12px; } .div-text-footer-color { color:#000000; } .div-text-footer-container a, .div-text-footer-container a:visited, .div-text-footer-container a:hover { color:#000000; } OUR NATIONS FOOD SECURITY LEFT TO THE BATTLERS TO PROTECT. ONLY 38 per cent of Woolworths' home-brand or generic products and 55 per cent of Coles' home-brand products are Australian-made or grown, compared with 92 per cent of market leaders, said the consumer group Choice. From rice bubbles to canned fruit, the big two are opting for increasing their weekly billion dollar profits, rather than supporting local producers, many products carrying New Zealand country of origin labelling, so they could be from anywhere, which highlights the need for improved labelling to assist local consumers who in the most wish to buy Australian. The big duopoly are well aware of consumer demand for local produce, and are more than aware their labelling is designed to confuse in this respect, says Mark Aldridge It may remain a fact that most super markets stock local fresh produce, and a larger percentage of the fresh produce is indeed grown locally, it is here the problems start for our farmers and growers Mark said. With such a huge slice of the market share, some 87% in the eastern states and over 70% here in SA, it has enabled the big boys in the grocery market to dictate not only price but also terms and conditions with our already struggling producers, and the problems do not stop there. Contracts to buy a farms entire produce at a set contract price, are not always kept, leaving some of our smaller producers in dire straits, with full crops and nowhere to sell them, many of these crops are simply chopped back into the paddocks, leaving a massive hole in their dwindling yearly incomes, this indeed is one of the major issues that needs to be address from a political stand point, said Mark. When a farmer finds themselves on the ass end of dodgy contract, it would be rare indeed if they could then afford the massive costs of litigation, let alone the increased chances of retribution if they dare take on the might of the big two, making matters even worse is any steps to expose these issues are met with genuine fear of speaking out, this point alone says it all about the state if the grocery Industry in this country.Over the past few months, while working with local producers to overcome the many issues they face, even I have endured threats of litigation, and those working with me from the industry have not only lost their jobs but also access to local wholesale arrangements, so the only answer left is to ensure a new range of mediums in which they can sell their fresh produce. “Farm Direct” Markets in the local suburbs appears the only answer I can come up with, weekly markets all over the state which ensure all local producers have the ability to sell their best produce direct to the public, will overcome many of the primary issue facing local farms and growers. To ensure the success of this ideal, these new markets will be held daily in different locations, in the suburbs, bringing the farm direct to the consumer, no contracts, low fees and marketing will be covered through social networking and the resulting word of mouths, says mark The new locations will include Salisbury, Gawler, Enfield, Hindmarsh, Newton and many more, the grand opening of these new markets will be on the 15 of September at Enfield Plaza from 9.00 am, the next day in Gawler then they will branch out all over the state, and indeed the nation with any luck. “The best part of this outcome will be the benefit to the consumers, no long term stored produce here, the freshest produce at by far the best prices, which will be a big help to the skyrocketing household budget, a big win for all involved.” The sad side of the story is indeed the fact it has come to this, our government representatives have long known the many problems in the farming sector, they have seen the big two grow to dominate the sector, seemingly without and checks and balances, and considering most countries restrict market dominance to around 20%, the writing has been on the wall for many years now, let alone the grim predictions that the industry could be wiped out within 5 years, if action is not taken now.Our Nations food security should be of primary concern to all our representatives, and until it is, I for one will stand beside these hard working producers and do what I can to empower them, to decide their own destiny. CLICK HERE FOR THE FARM DIRECT MARKETS UPDATES & TIMES Mark Aldridge Independent Federal candidate for Wakefield. 08 82847482 / 0403379500 Home | FARM DIRECT MARKETS SA | DODGY ELECTIONS THE TRUTH | SAVING OUR FOOD INDUSTRY 2013 | VOTING 4 ANIMAL WELFARE | VOTE NO TO AUST WITH OUT FARMS | THE RSPCA EXPOSED | DAFWA undermine justice | WHY VOTE FOR AN INDEPENDENT | ABOUT MARK | STANDING UP FOR LOCAL BUSINESS | BILL OF RIGHTS FOR AUSTRALIA | AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION | MARK BRIEF IDEALS OVERVIEW | THE DEMISE OF AUSSIE RIGHTS | CARBON TAX WHOLE STORY UPDATE | DEMAND SUPPORT FOR DAIRY FARMS | SA ELECTION FACTS FOR 2010/14 | FLUORIDE THE SIMPLE TRUTH | HEMP / CANNABIS EXPOSED" | WATER PROOFING South Australia | WHERE DOES OUR TAX MONEY GO? | MY POLITICAL HISTORY 1999/2012 | CONTACT ME | DIGNITY FOR THE DISABLED | The Muddied Water Debate | 2013 REWRITE OF ELECTORAL LAW | MY RALLY FOR THE CHILDREN | 24 POLICE STATION IN SALISBURY | WORKCOVER....NO THANKYOU | 2013 REFERENDUM ON COUNCILS | REFERENDUM 2013 VOTE NO DEBATE | On line Gambling | On line security | Aboriginal Soverignty in SA | Regional Aust missing out! | The water story part 2 | DODGY ELECTORAL LAWS | GETUP THE FULL EXPOSE 2011 | Nuclear Power & the future | COUNTRY PEOPLE DESERVE MORE |