Australian first for frozen berries as main ridge farm fills a void | herald sun

Australian-first for frozen berries as Main Ridge farm fills a void | Herald Sun

3/08/2015 2:52 pm

Leader Local News

Herald Sun South East & Peninsula

Australian-first for frozen berries as Main Ridge farm fills a void by: Lucy Callander From: Mornington Peninsula Leader March 17, 2015 6:00AM

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Sunny Ridge strawberry farm is venturing into the frozen berry market.

Source: News Limited http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/australian-first-for-‌rries-as-main-ridge-farm-fills-a-void/story-fngnvmhm-1227265150082

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Australian-first for frozen berries as Main Ridge farm fills a void | Herald Sun

3/08/2015 2:52 pm

CONSUMERS will soon be able to buy Australian berries grown on the Mornington Peninsula from supermarket freezers.

In what is believed to be an Australian first, a Main Ridge family has decided to fill a growing need for domestically produced frozen fruit.

Matt and Ruth Gallace will launch their new business Matilda tomorrow.

Mrs Gallace said the business will initially produce frozen strawberries, sourced from Matt’s family farm Sunny Ridge, and then add mixed frozen berries.

Mrs Gallace said they had considered the idea before but costs were prohibitive.

There’s plenty of fun for the whole family at Sunny Ridge. Picture: Sarah Nicholson Source: Supplied However, the recent Hepatitis A scare from imported frozen berries had changed the market, she said.

“We were already seeing a major shift in consumer attitudes towards local produce as people become more and more discerning and this latest situation has propelled that motivation to buy local,” Mrs Gallace said.

“The initial setup in regards to equipment for production, storage and cost of local pickers weren’t conducive with a viable business, but we feel demand for local produce will change that.”

She said buying local was becoming increasingly important to consumers and they would be prepared to pay more for it.

“I think people now understand why local produce costs more and they would rather pay more for something that has been grown ethically and sustainably.”

Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey said it was great to see one of its members giving all Australians access to premium quality, locally grown frozen berries. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/australian-first-for-…rries-as-main-ridge-farm-fills-a-void/story-fngnvmhm-1227265150082

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Australian-first for frozen berries as Main Ridge farm fills a void | Herald Sun

3/08/2015 2:52 pm

“The Gallace’s are doing what all great Australian farmers do — producing the best quality food in the world,” he said.

Fresh berries are usually the go at Sunny Ridge strawberry farm and cafe.

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Australian-first for frozen berries as Main Ridge farm fills a void | Herald Sun

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Antony

Mar 21, 2015

Just wondering was a single single berry found to have Hep A?

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Robert

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Mar 17, 2015

I cannot see Woolworths being cheep cheep on these items!

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No Spin

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Mar 17, 2015

Success will be in the hands of the supermarkets and shoppers. Supermarkets by deciding the margin that they will add which will effect the final price and shoppers who need to buy it.

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