56,700 tonnes per year!

Notes – Coffs Coast Regional Fresh Food Forum – SCU Thurs 22/7/10

Joe Pearce

Mid North Coast Farm Advisory Services

Phone: 0266554152 Mobile: 0413645303

Joe Pearce <joe51pearce@gmail.com>;

Joe did first presentation. He had done a lot of research on some local stats.

Council areas

Nambuccca 20,000

Bellingen 13,000

Coffs Hbr 70,000

Clarence (1) 49,000

152,000 people and growing [fast]. Coffs Coast region 4 million (divide by 365 = 10,958) overnight visits

(1) Rose Wright SCU 02 6626 9373 rose.wright@scu.edu.au later said delay in starting something here was the amalgamation process of the councils Clarence Valley.

Jeremy Challacombe is President of Grafton Chamber of Commerce and is the one who made the first contacts about this Regional Fresh Food initiative.

http://www.graftonchamber.org.au/index.html

Challacombe Farm

Fresh strawberries from May to November and a range of other produce throughout the year, including frozen strawberries, jams and relishes, pecan nuts and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Produce is available directly from the farm and a range of outlets around the Clarence Valley.

Jeremy and Sue Challacombe jschallacombe@tpg.com.au p.6642 3336 http://www.gatetoplate.com.au/producers.html

So these SCU tourism experts, working with 12 regions East Coast of Australia. Have been specifically tasked by Martin Ferguson Federal Minister of Regional Development to fix the supply side!

90% of their work is LOCAL FOOD! Worldwide/Global trend people want to know where their food comes from….they want to know the STORY! = character “story” with our food = tourism

Coffs Coast region 4 million overnight visits at $117/head/night Total $468million.

No. 1 activity Eating at restaurants

50% visit other location in region during visit

Peak season Jan – March….but rest of year only 35% down on peak figures

Pampadour (people who like to be pampered) nos up 12% last 2 years

EVERYONE in region is involved in Tourism

Supply chain 56,700 tonnes fresh food/year into this region.Woolworths new distribution centre for here is VICTORIA! Transport cost 1 tonne to Grafton 1475 kms = $250

$138 million fresh food at farm gate in region. Everyone $1 spent and kept in region multiplier factor of 6 = $828 million + employment galore!

Wholesale average price of food leaving Flemington markets $1.20/kg

[Command] Supply chain WASTE Enough to feed 3 Billion people 1 Billion starving at present.

1/3 to 1/2 of all food produced wasted. All the ACHIEVEMENTS of scientists and new farming techniques of the past 50 years goes to LANDFILL!

ACTION Regional produce to regional plates

Build regional leadership and confidence

Short supply/value chain

Farmers/Food producers own it – local food label.

Work with system / not change it

Tender for local wholesale distributor

Steering committee set up. DPI decline to be member of steering committee but will observe first meeting as “you’ll be coming to us for the seed money”

Rose Wright very funny presenter and recommends http://profdavidhughes.com/ Imperial College London

Do you want to learn about key global food industry developments and what they mean for your organisation? Do you want your team to be challenged and stimulated in an insightful, energetic and humorous way? Listen to and talk with Professor David Hughes. He’ll spark ideas and discussion that will bring exciting business opportunities.

Please contact Joe Pearce above for more details.

Joe Walker

M: 0438 516351

REGIONAL FRESH FOOD IMPORTS PER YEAR?