Answering strawberry SOS from region's farmers

Unitywater is supporting local strawberry farmers with a bulk buy to help homeless support centres in this region.

Queensland Strawberry farmers put out an urgent SOS – Save Our Strawberries – to help tackle over-supply issues and food wastage.

There are approximately 80 strawberry farmers in this state with most growers located in the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions.

Unitywater has bought strawberries from LuvaBerry Farm in Wamuran, McMartins Farm in Bli Bli and Eumundi Farm Fresh.

Special deliveries

Katherine Gee, Unitywater Executive Manager for Customer and Community, said the punnets will be delivered to Caboolture Community Action, OzHarvest and Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre.

“Our purpose is keeping communities healthy,” Ms Gee said. “There are a lot of ways in which we can do that beyond safe and reliable water and sewerage services.

“We heard the call from our local strawberry farmers for help and we’re proud to be able to play a small part in that and also help our community partners like OzHarvest and other homeless support centres with a delivery of sweet south-east Queensland grown strawberries.

“We encourage the community to support the strawberry farms within our region and buy from the local markets and farms during this difficult time for them.”

Testing times

The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association said every punnet purchased will help farmers stay afloat as perfect growing conditions provide quality berries, but Covid-19 has impacted sales.

LuvaBerry Director Mandy Schultz said the support is greatly appreciated and needed for the farm, which has been in the family since 1945.

“The past couple of years have certainly been more challenging and difficult, so we sincerely appreciate the generous support that locals give us, which helps us to continue our family business,” Ms Schultz said.

“If you can’t get to a local farm that is opened to the public, the best way to support is to buy more than one punnet at the shops.”