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... in another cynical exercise;

Australian Food News

Woolworths and IGA: supermarkets go "local"

"Supermarkets are increasingly tapping into the 'local' trend, driven by consumers' desire to support and feel part of their community".

Earlier this month, The Advocate reported that Woolworths will soon be clearly labeling its range of Tasmanian food produce in an effort to satisfy consumer demand for locally sourced food.

The strategy is an astute one, given the growing appeal of locally produced food. Indeed, Datamonitor's April/May 2009 Consumer Survey found that over 26% of Australians are buying food and drinks produced locally to where they live either 'all the time' or 'most of the time'. Meanwhile, 56% of respondents stated that knowing where their groceries come from has become 'more' or 'significantly more' important to them compared to two years ago.

EcoMart trial run a great success!

With the opening date of the EcoMart online shop, approaching rapidly, Director John Knapen and General Manager Effie Ablett, decided to hold a limited 'practice run' of the system to iron out any bugs or gliches and get the volunteers accustomed to the routine.

The Goonellabah Scout Hall was secured as a distribution centre and in the future will also serve as a pickup point for customers when the show is up and running.

The online shop was opened to a limited number of members, both producers and buyers, on Wed 22nd of September and then closed on the following Wednesday at midnight.

Producers were invited to check for orders on the Thursday and bring along items for distribution on the following day.

Early morning was taken up arranging equipment and putting up signage.

The volunteers arrived shortly after and began their briefing sessions.

As the producers arrived they were greeted at the first station, with details checked and entered into the computer, their products were passed on down the line to the other sections.

Even with the very limited number of trial items offered, it was obvious that the variety of items will prove to be a

great attraction to this type of shopping.

Customers were then free to either pickup their goods themselves or have them delivered to their home or workplace.

General Manager Effie Ablett declared the day a great success, with no major dramas but some very valuable experience gained on the day. Roll on 'Opening Day!'. A footnote to producers - hurry and get your products listed in the first real cycle - time is running out!

ALDI not perfect either!...

... for example, if you have purchased ALDI's Peanut Butter in the past, you may be alarmed to know that the product has been changed without you knowing it!

In short, it is no longer made in Australia, but is now made in China - and a cynical packaging/marketing exercise has been used to cover up the fact, or at least make it less noticeable!

Take the Nutrition Panels, for example. The clear, easy to read panel on the left, is the original Australian product. The darker, smaller, less contrasty, harder to read panel is on the new Chinese product.

But what of the actual product? Notice the difference in key indicators, e.g. SAT FAT = 47% higher. SUGAR = 60% higher.

Don't be fooled by them changing the 'Serve size' from 20g to 25g.!

... even the 'made in China' note is now printed white on a light blue background, unlike the 'easy-to-read' black type used on the original Australian product.

The changes made to this product, in swapping it from Australian to Chinese, are significant and haven't all been covered here.

This outlines the ease with which 'generic' or essentially 'no name' products can be altered with the result of sacrificing quality for price.

It only took one taste for me to realise the difference - ironically, I didn't have to read the label!

Grand Opening goes without a hitch! ...

Not a moment too soon! The long-awaited cutting of the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the EcoMart distribution centre by Mayor Jenny Dowell and Founder John Knapen.

General Manager Effie Ablett, Mayor Jenny Dowell, Peter Cook, Vanessa Bennett, John Knapen and Wayne Wadsworth listen to Ballina Councillor Jeff Johnson's opening remarks.

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Just a small portion of the products and produce distributed on the day.

EcoMart - off to a flying start!

Friday 5th of November will be the official opening of the Northern Rivers EcoMart and will be an important community and media event.

Mayor Jenny Dowell and Ballina Councillor Jeff Johnson will be there to officiate and cut the 'opening ribbon'.

Suppliers and representatives will also be there to answer your questions - an opportunity to communicate with the very people who grow the produce and make the products.

Show your support on the day - proceedings begin at 11.30 am.

Good Luck EcoMart!

July 2010 ... Official Website Launch a big hit with local Press!

Held at a Sneaths road property in Alstonville, the official EcoMart Website Launch went without a hitch! An outstanding amount of interest was shown by all forms of local media, evidenced by the tremendous turnout by members of the Press from print, radio and television.

General Manager Effie Ablett and Director John Knapen took the opportunity to explain the workings and objectives of the Co-operative organisation and pointed out the great benefits for local producers and their communities.

"Local producers will be able to sell their produce at prices competitive with big supermarkets and yet make a good profit" Ms Ablett said.

Director John Knapen being interviewed for TV and John with General Manager Effie Ablett, Ballina Councillor Jeff Johnson and director Wayne Wadsworth

at the EcoMart Website Launch.

Director John Knapen explained how a facility such as EcoMart, will put more choice into the hands of consumers and control of their operations back into the hands of producers, allowing direct interaction between the two groups, when necessary.

He said that producers should not be reticent about joining and listing their products in the on-line shop right away, as that is what will be required to get EcoMart up and running.

Free Advertising offered to Suppliers who sign up and list early ...

EcoMart is offering a free advertising panel on the Homepage to all those suppliers who sign up and list their goods, for a whole week. The panel is allocated chronologically, so the sooner suppliers list their goods, the sooner they can take advantage of this great valuable deal!

When shoppers go to the website - they'll see you first!

So don't delay - list today!