The NFF Horticulture Council has warmly welcomed the Australian Government's recent announcement of funding to industry bodies, including the National Farmers' Federation, to deliver the Know Your Grocery Code program.
The program will provide free, high-quality training to fresh fruit, vegetable and mushroom suppliers across Australia, helping them understand and enforce their rights under the mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
NFF Horticulture Council Executive Officer Richard Shannon said the investment was a meaningful step towards a more level playing field for fresh produce suppliers.
"Having rights under the Code matters. But those rights are only as strong as the capacity of suppliers to understand them, assert them, and act on them. That takes knowledge, confidence and skills, and that's exactly what this investment will build," Mr Shannon said.
"Fresh produce suppliers face real structural pressures when negotiating with large grocery businesses. Products are perishable, growing cycles are long, and significant costs are committed well before a buyer makes any decisions. This program will help suppliers go into those conversations better prepared and better protected."
The Know Your Grocery Code program - delivered with the support of the Australian Government through the Supporting Fresh Produce Suppliers - Food and Grocery Code Education Program - will offer online and in-person training across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The Council, on behalf of the NFF, is committed to ensuring training is accessible to suppliers of all backgrounds, including First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse growers.
"We want every fresh produce supplier in this country to be able to access this training, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances. That's the standard we're holding ourselves to," Mr Shannon said.
Looking ahead, the Council noted with encouragement that further improvements to support fair and efficient trading of fresh produce, recommended by the ACCC, had been agreed to in-principle by the Australian Government and would be considered as part of the next review of the Code, due next year. The Council looks forward to working constructively with Government to see those recommendations reflected in the Code at the earliest opportunity.
"The Code has come a long way, and we're grateful to the Government for the reforms already delivered. The next review is a real opportunity to build on that progress, and we'll be actively engaged to make sure the voice of horticulture growers is heard," Mr Shannon said.
The NFF Horticulture Council thanks the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Minister for Small Business, and the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury for their commitment to supporting Australia's fresh produce suppliers.
