Fair Farms Certification

Fair Farms Certification accepted by all three major retailers

PHOTO © GROWCOM 3 MARSHA Aralar, Fair Farms National Program Manager

The Australian horticulture sector continues to back the industry developed Fair Farms Training and Certification Program demonstrating industry’s commitment to stamping out workplace non-compliance and worker exploitation.

Fair Farms is built on the idea that compliant and ethical employers should be recognised and rewarded for their efforts by their customers and consumers, who may choose to buy Australian produce from ethically verified sources. In a positive outcome for the program, Coles recently confirmed it would now accept Fair Farms Certification as a way by which fresh produce suppliers can demonstrate compliance with the Coles Ethical Sourcing Policy. This announcement by Coles means Fair Farms Certification is now accepted by all three major retailers in Australia: Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. Coles General Manager Fresh Produce Eager to strengthen relationships Craig Taylor said the supermarket was across horticultural and grower proud to give the Fair Farms training communities, Ms Aralar’s international and certification program the tick qualifications in quality assurance and of approval. public health coupled with an energetic “Around 95 per cent of the fresh produce we sell comes from Australian personality mark an exciting new period for Fair Farms. farms, and it’s important to Coles and “Our goal from here is to build a to our customers that the workers in critical mass of Fair Farms certified our supply chain are treated fairly. businesses. This will enable ethical “95% of the fresh produce we sell comes buyers and sellers to work towards improving the conditions for farm workers, stamping out exploitation,” Ms Aralar said. “It is an exciting time to join the team at Growcom. I am “By adopting this additional industrybased solution that can be used by all suppliers regardless of who buys their produce, Coles is making it easier for Aussie farmers to meet ethical workplace standards.” New National Program from Australian farms...” Craig Taylor, COLES looking forward to further enhancing Fair Farms and driving the continued success of the program Manager announced and showcasing our Fair Farms in August announced the world-class growers.” appointment of Marsha Aralar as its new National Program Manager. Fair Farms is developed and delivered by Growcom with support from the Ms Aralar brings a wealth of experience Fair Work Ombudsman, the Federal to her role as National Program Department of Agriculture, Water and Manager, having worked in a variety of the Environment and AUSVEG. food safety and compliance roles across Australia and the Middle East. MORE INFORMATION “In my previous role I was lucky enough to get onto farms and get my boots For more information visit the Fair Farms website: www.fairfarms.com.au dirty. I really enjoy engaging with growers, getting to understand their business and concerns, and helping them meet market and regulatory requirements,” Ms Aralar said.