Salad days set to return for Houston’s Farm after interstate sales slump

TASMANIANS are being urged to eat more salad as lettuce grower Houston’s Farm recovers from the fallout of an interstate salmonella scare.

Tas Country. Paul Lupo of Houston's Farm. Houston's Farm are expanding with a new farm at Forcett.

TASMANIANS are being urged to eat more salad as lettuce grower Houston’s Farm recovers from the fallout of an interstate salmonella scare.

Houston’s Farm chief executive Paul Lupo said Tasmanian lettuce was always safe to eat.

It was a Victorian producer’s packaged lettuce products that were found to contain the bacteria, which resulted in about 140 people falling ill.

The affected Tripod Farmers bagged lettuce, sold in interstate supermarkets, was recalled on February 4 and removed from shelves after the first signs of illness.

None was imported into Tasmania and Houston’s lettuce, 90 per cent of which is sent interstate, was unaffected.

Despite this, local lettuce sales slumped considerably. Houston’s would normally have cut seven tonnes of lettuce, spinach and rocket at its Tasmanian farms last week but reduced that amount to just three tonnes.

But Mr Lupo believes the recovery has begun.

“Over the past week, we been overwhelmed by the level of support that we have received from the Tasmanian community — not only in a gradual increase in sales but also from our wholesale and retail customers and from individual and groups in the community who want to lend their support,” he said.

A hi-tech sensor among the lettuce at Houston's Farm in Richmond.

Chairman Anthony Houston said it was all about getting people to realise that the product out on the shelf was safe.

“That’s the important thing for us, that people start feeling confident about it and start eating salad again.”

The Richmond junior football club — the Mini Blues — is one of the many community groups lending support.

Club president Tony Ryan has called for other Tasmanians to help by buying a ready-to-eat salad for lunch every day for the rest of February and March.

“Houston’s Farm is a loyal supporter of our program, so it’s time for us to give a little bit back,” Mr Ryan said.

“Join me on this healthy challenge. You could even lose a kilo or two. Not suggesting anyone out there needs to.”

Mr Houston said his company implemented the highest health standards, including testing water and products regularly.

Houston’s 300 employees in Tasmania and Queensland include about 100 casuals.

Catch up with more rural news in today’s edition of Tasmanian Country