Rescuing Imperfect Produce: Farmers Pick Challenges the Australian Food System

Strategic Insights -

Australian families are embracing the option of buying imperfect produce from Farmers Pick, a company that works directly with local farmers to rescue unsold fruit and vegetables from supermarkets. Since its inception in 2020, Farmers Pick has rescued over 10 million kilograms of produce, saving customers up to 30 per cent on their grocery bills. With a delivery network spanning across Victoria, ACT, Queensland, NSW, and regional towns, Farmers Pick has reached 50 per cent of the Australian population.

Key Takeaways:

  • Farmers Pick has rescued over 10 million kilograms of produce since its launch in 2020, with 45,900 kilograms saved in the Riverina region alone.
  • The company has 956 customers in the Riverina region, with 5643 orders placed and a significant stream of income for local farmers.
  • Griffith farmer Joe Polimeni has been a supplier for Farmers Pick for over 10 years, praising the company for their good payment practices and reliable demand.
  • Farmers Pick has experienced strong growth, with around 30 per cent of total revenue now driven by social media engagement.
  • The company has a goal to challenge the cosmetic standards upheld by major supermarkets, which results in 30% or 2.4 billion kilograms of perfectly imperfect produce never leaving the farm.
  • Farmers Pick operates with a network of Australian farmers, providing an alternative market for produce that doesn't meet supermarket standards.
  • According to data released, Farmers Pick has 396 customers in Wagga, placing 2199 orders and saving 18,000 kilograms of produce.

Statistics:

  • 10,000,000+ kg of produce rescued by Farmers Pick since 2020
  • 45,900 kg of produce saved in the Riverina region alone
  • 5643 orders placed by 956 customers in the Riverina region
  • 2199 orders placed by 396 customers in Wagga
  • 18,000 kg of produce saved in Wagga
  • 2.4 billion kg of perfectly imperfect produce never leaving the farm due to supermarket cosmetic standards

Sources:

  • Wagga residents are joining the growing trend of people choosing to shop with Farmers Pick since its inception in 2020 (Byline: Jac Marshall)
  • Farmers Pick: Rescuing Imperfect Produce (Byline: Jac Marshall)
  • "The boys are good payers, they look after me": Griffith Farmer discusses working with Farmers Pick (Byline: [Unknown])
  • "Farming is the only industry where you buy everything retail and sell everything at wholesale" (Byline: Unknown)
  • Farmers Pick reaches 50 per cent of the Australian population with its extensive delivery network (Byline: Unknown)