Funds sought for Fork to Fork

FRESH Tasmanian produce will soon make an even swifter journey from paddock to plate.

sprout

FRESH Tasmanian produce may soon be able to make an even swifter journey from paddock to plate with the help of a proposed new online marketplace.

The Fork to Fork online farmers’ market is the brainchild of Sprout Tasmania, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting local food producers.

The site will allow cafes, restaurants and grocery stores to buy local produce directly from the people who grow it.

Sprout chief executive Alice Percy said it would allow chefs and grocers to directly select and buy produce that was in season and fresh.

“It will provide a win-win for producers, who will in effect have their own retail store, and for commercial customers, who will be able to view what produce is available, where it is grown or raised and when it can be delivered,” Dr Percy said.

With produce initially harvested by the fork in the ground, Tasmanian consumers will also benefit by enjoying freshly harvested food via the fork on their plate.

“Consumers increasingly expect to know where their food comes from and we anticipate that chefs and grocers will be able to take pride in explaining the provenance of the produce and the interesting stories behind it,” Dr Percy said.

Sprout Tasmania has launched a Pozible Fork to Fork crowd-funding campaign to raise start-up funds.

“We have already been donated a delivery van and we have a clear vision of producers being able to login to the marketplace and list the produce they have for sale. But we need money to be able to build the website and make it all happen,” Fork to Fork project manager Erika Avellaneda Celis said.

To view the Fork to Fork informative video or pledge your financial support, click here.