On the back of Australia Day, the recent bushfire crisis and the persisting drought with an associated inference to climate-created challenges, it is timely to reflect on why buying local produce is more important than ever before.
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Our primary production sector also faces ongoing competition from imported produce.
"Primary production particularly in Tasmania is so important to our state's economy but does this resonate with our general population?" Rural Business Tasmania chief executive Elizabeth Skirving said.
"There was once a time when everybody was related to or at least knew somebody that either worked on the land or was engaged in a related support or processing industry. Today that is simply not the case."
Seemingly the divide between urban, rural, and regional communities is growing with many people not fully aware of where their food comes from, and why choices in what we buy and its source are important to every Tasmanian.
"For the state's economy to continue to grow and thrive the flow-on effect of supporting our local farmers and producers really needs to be explained and appreciated," Ms Skirving said.
"Apart from itself being a major employer in the state, the primary sector supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in regional towns and communities meaning more jobs and more investment outside the larger cities and towns." Primary producers are complex businesses as they have to mitigate factors largely beyond their control like the climate, domestic market demand, and access to export markets.
"As the state's rural business experts, our organisation sees great opportunity in raising awareness about the business of farming, and how every person has a role to play in ensuring that our farmers are supported through buying locally produced produce," she said.
"Whether this means better labelling or even dedicated aisles or sections in the supermarket, we can all contribute to our local economy through better choices during the weekly shop."
Putting its words into action, Rural Business Tasmania is looking at working with other rural stakeholders to instil the Buy Local message and develop materials that explain the business of farming and what it means for the state. "We believe that we have a role to play in educating Tasmanians of all ages about the broad contribution the primary industry sector makes," Ms Skirving said.
"And let us not forget our produce is some of the best in the world be it meat, fruit and vegetables, seafood, dairy, wine and even flowers. To buy local you are getting arguably the best of the best, and supporting the state in the process."