As we have seen in the media over the last few days, the retail giants (Coles and Woolworths for those of you not in Australia) have now decided to duke it out over the price of fresh fruit and vegetables. Coles started this battle when announcing yesterday that they are going to cut prices on “at least a dozen” more popular fruit and veg every week. A quick glance at the full page ad in today’s Courier-Mail shows that Woolworths are matching or beating Coles prices on many of these items.
My first thought when I heard this was “jeez, the farmers just can’t get a break”. However Coles have been quick to say that lower prices will increase demand which will provide more certainty for farmers. Whether this actually happens remains to be seen. You can read the full media release from Coles here.
My second thought when hearing this was hmmm. Maybe there is some good here. Research shows only half of Australians eat the daily recommended allowance of fruit and veg, with many people saying they can’t afford to buy fresh f&v as it’s too expensive (personally I dispute this, but that’s a conversation for another day!). What I’m wondering is this: now that fresh fruit and veg are cheaper, will people eat more? Especially those who have previously said it was too expensive?
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| Some of my favourite fruit and veg |
its good to see prices becoming more affordable and it would definitely encourage people to consume more but from what i saw yesterday at coles, theres a huge gap in quality compared to what you get at the local grocer..as the saying goes “you pay what you get for”
yes I agree Joe, and it’s a rare day that I buy more than an onion from a supermarket for that very reason!
Mel,
During the floods we saw #bakedRelief, to address the imediate needs in the crisis of floods & cyclones.
This latest series of events might give rise to #BakedDevelopment, to address the longer term issues.
For a response regarding predatory pricing behaviour by the big two supermarkets, please read a food sovereignty perspective for a bigger picture view: http://australian.foodsovereigntyalliance.org/blog/2012/02/02/fair-food-system-needed-not-an-endless-race-to-the-bottom/
Not really for me – I think it will certainly entice me to eat a bigger variety of fruit/veg, but my consumption would probably stay the same!
Now, if you lowered the price of chocolate, on the other hand…
I have recently started doing the Sat Markets at Rocklea in order to be able to get my fruit and veg requirement. I now know that I also need to check Coles before I go. Yes for some things on my list Coles can be the cheaper option.
I’d love to support the local vege shop however when faced with $6.50/kilo verses $2/kilo for red delishious apples. Well sorry but no can do.
In general I hope it helps many families but you are also facing the difficult task of changing eating habits in many respects.
Local all the way! It’s disgusting the way the big supermarkets are ripping off Aussie farmers.