Download Submission on the National Food Plan Jamie McCall Burnside

Submission on the National Food Plan
Jamie McCall
Burnside Organic Farm
Proposal for Farmers’ Markets to be used as a mechanism for achieving
the desired objectives of the National Food Plan.
I suggest that Farmers’ Markets have been overlooked as an emerging
and strengthening trend in the Australian food supply chain. They are
referred to in the green paper, but only in passing. They are actually a
valid and viable way to achieve each of the desired objectives of the
National Food Plan with low levels of outlay over a limited duration as
suggested later in this submission.
How Farmers’ Markets meet the National Food Plan objectives:
1. Support the global competitiveness and productivity growth of the
food supply chain, including through research, science and
innovation. Farmers’ Markets are a key driver of innovation in the
agricultural sector as they allow research and innovation on a small
scale by farmers. Direct interaction with the public allows new
product testing to take place without having to scale up to meet
requirements of the conventional supply chain. True innovation
occurs much more frequently on this micro scale than on a macro
scale where the risks of failure are far more serious. New crops can
be trialed on a small scale to assess marketplace
acceptability. Similarly new processed products or processing
techniques can be market tested. Following a successful innovation
production can be scaled up to meet larger markets through the
conventional supply chain and export opportunities can be
explored. Success at a Farmers’ Market level can be leveraged into
investment into larger market opportunities. Globally Australian
farmers and producers face many hurdles, not least of which are
high production costs associated with agriculture in
Australia. Farmers Markets’ used as an outlet by farmers provide a
high margin component to their business mix that can make the
difference between success and failure of a business. There is a
mistaken belief that Farmers’ Markets are exclusively for small
growers. In fact many large growers use Farmers’ Markets to sell
produce that does not meet supermarket specifications and thus
turn a problem into profitability.
2. Reduce barriers food businesses face in accessing international and
domestic markets. Barriers to domestic markets are removed with
farmers able to directly market produce and achieve high relative
returns while offering consumers better affordability at the same
time. One of the biggest barriers to domestic markets is the supply
chain structure that passes agricultural profitability to wholesalers
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and retailers higher up the chain and leads to the farm gate price
taking phenomenon. Farmers Markets may be small and local in
nature, but the enhancement of viability they offer farmers by
giving better margins and an outlet for product that fails to meet
sometimes arbitrary market specifications can make the difference
between making a profit and a loss for even the biggest
growers. With a guidance structure in place suitable Farmers’
Market businesses could be encouraged to gear up to meet export
requirements. The Farmers’ Markets could be the ground where
future, innovative export potential is identified and fostered.
Contribute to economic prosperity, employment and community
wellbeing in regional Australia.
Economic prosperity and
community well-being are both served by Farmers’ Markets. The
enhancement of agricultural viability by access to retail opportunity
creates economic security and prosperity for farmers which leads to
employment opportunity. Food processing opportunities create
employment prospects. The community spirit of Farmers’ Markets
is a well-known phenomenon and perhaps one of the most
important aspects they create. A good Farmers’ Market becomes a
social meeting place for a community and can build social capital
like no other activity. A Farmers’ Market allows farmers to take
pride in their produce within their community rather than be an
anonymous commodity supplier into the supermarket supply
chain. Branding opportunities arise that can give a whole
community pride in the fine products that originate from their
region.
Identify and mitigate potential risks to Australia’s food
security. Farmers’ Markets create a food supply chain that is
localized and outside the conventional supply chain. The inherent
security risk posed by the transport dependent conventional supply
chain is mitigated by a strong network of Farmers’ Markets. The
local production that flourishes with a Farmers’ Market ensures
some resilience in local food supply in the event of catastrophic
natural or economic disturbances to the conventional food chain. It
also ensures diversity of food production as food niches are filled by
innovative and enterprising local growers.
Maintain and improve the natural resource base underpinning food
production in Australia.
Farmers’ Markets create the contact
between farmer and consumer that fosters attention to the
sustainability of food production systems. Consumers given access
to the people growing their food are able to communicate their
concerns about methods of food production that care for the natural
resource base. Increased profitability for farmers allows for
reinvestment in preservation of the natural resource base that the
future of farming depends upon.
Reduce barriers to a safe and nutritional food supply that responds
to the evolving preferences and needs of all Australians and
supports population health. With an emphasis on fresh seasonal
primary produce Farmers’ Markets are an encouragement towards
healthy eating. Most Farmers’ Markets focus on primary fresh
produce and manufactured produce must usually be produced from
local ingredients. There is consequently little in the way of “junk”
food at a Farmers’ Market. Produce is also picked specifically for
the market and has not undergone lengthy storage
processes. Consumers are able to engage directly with a grower
and determine if their needs for food safety, lack of chemical
residue and freshness are being met.
7. Contribute to global food security.
An Australia wide network of
Farmers’ Markets, enhancing Australia’s food system resilience and
diversity will work as an asset for global food security.
What the Federal Government could do to foster an Australia wide
network of Farmers’ Markets.
Farmers’ Markets face a small, specific list of challenges for establishment
and success. These are:
1. A framework under which to operate. Farmers’ Markets need to
work under a not-for-profit association model to avoid profit taking
by an “owner” and preserve ownership of the markets by the
participants. Government could supply a suitable template for
establishment of state-specific organisations that most
appropriately meet these needs. A “model” constitution for
Farmers’ Markets could be created that, once adopted, can lead to
eligibility for assistance with establishment and running issues. The
author wrote a constitution for the Margaret River Farmers’ Markets
10 years ago. This could serve as a model.
2. Guidelines that ensure the integrity of Farmers’ Markets. To be
successful Farmers’ Markets must be genuine. A set of rules that
covers eligibility to sell at a Farmers’ Market and definitions of local
area and a hierarchy of food processing eligibility are all necessary
to ensure the integrity of a market cannot be
compromised. Farmers’ Markets need to be food only markets or
they deteriorate into craft and nick-nack markets and lose their
identity and appeal. Often sectors of the community wish to
leverage their own non-food businesses off the success of Farmers’
Markets without realizing that their involvement can cause the
demise of a successful market. The set of rules designed by the
author for the Margaret River Farmers’ Markets could serve as a
model.
3. A location with secure tenure. Farmers’ Markets need a location
with a suitable area for setting up, adequate parking, access to
power, toilets and possibly shelter. Successful markets can work in
carparks, on ovals or in community venues. Most towns have
suitable sites, but negotiations with local government or state
agencies over vesting or lease arrangements can be time
consuming and difficult. Assistance with site identification and
arrangement of suitable long term lease arrangements are a vital
step to enable the setting up or ongoing viability of a Farmers’
Market.
With a Federally coordinated program to address these challenges and
create an Australia wide network of genuine Farmers’ Markets there would
be a shift towards all of the objective of the National Food Plan.
Jamie McCall
27/8/12