FNQ locals, farmers and businesses are all losing out with rising cost of living

The price of berries, capsicum and cucumbers in the Far North to soar with consumers, farmers and businesses all losing out. SEE HACKS TO SAVE >>

CONSUMERS, farmers and businesses are losing out in the Far North as the price of berries, capsicum and cucumbers has soared.

Lara Wilde, CEO of Food Manufacturing Hub and FNQ Incubator, said she has noticed the rising costs of produce affect local businesses with a knock-on effect for consumers.

“We’ve been seeing (price rises) for a couple months,” she said.

“Capsicums have gone through the roof … tomato pulp is very hard to source.”

Rusty's Market

Businesses were forced to pay for surging costs out of their own pockets as Ms Wilde said the price of long shelf life products can’t be adjusted for everyday price changes.

Ms Wilde said, consequently, businesses have substituted ingredients to opt for cheaper produce.

“What it has provided is an opportunity to start looking locally to source produce and reduce freight costs to make up costs,” she said.

Farmers grappled with meeting “very narrow” supermarket standards as Ms Wilde noted how bruised and misshaped produce will be rejected by retailers and thrown out by farmers.

Fair Go for the North

“It will cost farmers more to pick (fruit) than what they’re getting paid,” she said.

“It comes back to us as consumers … to be willing to accept a less than picture perfect avocado.”

Manunda local, Jess and Josiah Tau-Ave said eating healthy is harder because of the price rises and admitted her family have been forced to select alternatives.

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“Instead of making bolognese sauce from scratch, you can buy the jar for $1.80 whereas if you buy all the vegetables to go in, you’re looking at $20 just for the sauce,” Ms Tau-Ave said.

“Our food bill has gone up by $50 a week just in the past month or two.”

Despite both parents working, the Tau-Ave family said they found they don’t have enough money left over to save.

“We do what we can, we take it day by day,” Mr Tau-Ave said.

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Nifty Kanimbla parent, Robin Barrington, said shopping for her family of four has proven to be difficult but as she has found ways to save on groceries.

“Fresh produce has really gone up, it’s crazy at the moment,” she said.

Bulk buying chicken because it’s cheaper than red meat, meal prepping and shopping at farmer’s markets, she said.

Ms Barrington said she spends $200 a week on groceries and tries to shop sales where possible.

“Rising costs absolutely discourages you to buy produce,” she said.

Originally published as FNQ locals, farmers and businesses are all losing out with rising cost of living