3 minute read
Celebrating our WA Food Heroes
BY BUY WEST EAT BEST
All around Western Australia there are amazing stories of #WAFoodHeroes keeping the supply chain running through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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With producers and business responding to the rapidly changing demands of intra and interstate border closures, industry sector pauses and wavering consumer confidence, the past months have disrupted the normal rhythms of daily life. The need to communicate to our wider community the myriad of pressures business and producers incur that are keeping the food supply chain running — the heroes who grow, harvest, craft, manufacture and transport our food and drink within WA has never been so important. In response to discussions with Buy West Eat Best program members, research and evaluation of community sentiment, behaviour and lifestyle coupled with overseas trend indicators; in April Buy West Eat Best launched a series of social conversations led by member businesses that are adapting in response to COVID-19, in context of the critical need to support local, through the #WAFoodHeroes campaign. By focussing on the WA food hero community, the campaign highlights just some of the great work members are doing for and within their immediate communities. The campaign purpose is to shine a light on local legends who deserve increased support and attention, and to create a movement to tell, share and celebrate the West Aussies who keep us fed and watered.
The WA Food Heroes campaign highlights some of the great workmembers are doing.
Rise of local
More than ever, shoppers want to understand the supply chain, with complete transparency from farm to factory to distribution, and understand details of the measures being taken to assure their safety. Promoting a product’s local origins could help manufacturers and retailers alleviate some consumer concerns. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, a Nielsen survey found that global consumers were heavily swayed by origin: 11% of global consumers said they only bought products manufactured in their country while an additional 54% ‘mostly’ bought local products. We should expect those numbers to grow rapidly. This report supports independent Buy West Eat Best research undertaken by Painted Dog Research in August 2019 that 56% of WA shoppers consider buying local an important factor and 51% think about where their food comes from when grocery shopping.
3 WA Corn Growers — just one of the many #WAFoodHeros ensuring supply across WA within days of harvest.
3 BUY West Eat Best members Harvey Beef, Pome West and WA Potatoes have all contributed content to tell the stories of our #WAFoodHeros.
In early April 2020, we saw WA consumers saying that 34% were buying more locally grown or produced items when they shop and 40% spending more on fresh produce. Painted Dog Research, People’s Choice Survey, April 2020.
Who are our WA Food Heroes?
All who are connected to the supply chain in WA: growers, harvesters, manufacturers, wash packers, forklift and truck drivers, chefs, retailers, foodservice and hospitality venues… families and community.
How industry can get involved?
Industry, including regional food and primary production groups, local food hub groups, cafes and restaurants and especially consumers are encouraged to take part in the social conversation. We encourage everyone to use their own platforms and voices to advocate on behalf of #WAFoodHeroes. If you have a WA Food Hero in mind, please share a post on social media that tells their story and why they are important to you. Tagging producer accounts and @buywesteatbest is essential sharing these stories.
Member participation
Currently, Buy West Eat Best have received nominations from Chestnut Brae, Fruit West, Pome West, WA Potatoes, Chef Sophie Budd, Harvey Beef, Heavenly Strawberries, Beta Spuds, Chef Don Hancey, WA Citrus, Jus Burgers, Black Pig Deli, Bee Firm NRG, WA Corn Growers and many
others who have expressed interest to participate.
MORE INFORMATION
CTA: Join the conversation online and tell us about your #WAFoodHeroes Campaign Hashtag: #WAFoodHeroes Account Tags: @buywesteatbest
#buywesteatbest
If you would like further information regarding this campaign or would like to join the Buy West Eat Best program email
