Study shows buying local fruit and veg in Loddon Campaspe region isn’t more expensive
Fruit and vegetable intake is vital to good health, but currently only one in eight residents in the Loddon Campaspe region meet the daily recommendation of five serves a day of vegetables, and only around half are getting enough fruit each day. We also know that around two in three adults in the local region are overweight or obese. Similar trends can be seen around the country.
Having access to affordable locally grown foods can play a significant role in determining what we eat and how healthy we are.
HLC has partnered with Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation on a research study to analyse fruit and vegetable prices in our region.
The research, which has been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, looked at prices for 36 common fruits and veggies across 65 local vendors, and found that regional produce is just as affordable as supermarket options.
This is great news for our local communities, farmers, businesses, the environment, our pockets, and our health!
The study found that locally grown fruits and vegetables were primarily available through the local farmers’ markets, followed by greengrocers and small supermarkets. Unfortunately, large supermarkets rarely stock locally grown produce.
This shows that more needs to be done in Australia to invest in our local fruit and vegetable supply chains to help growers sell to their communities at affordable prices and convenient locations. This will likely produce benefits for the health of communities and the planet and help re-balance power across the food supply chain.
To read the full article, click HERE.
