T&G announce Peruvian grape joint venture
TURNERS & GROWERS have announced a significant joint venture with Unifrutti, with the two companies investing in the development of prime agricultural land in Piura, Peru.
A new charity has been launched to get fresh fruit and vegetables to Kiwis in need.
Fairgrow, launched in Auckland this morning by fresh produce company T&G Fresh will collect surplus and donated fruit and vegetables from its business and across its 1,200 grower partners.
Andrew Keaney, managing director T&G Fresh says COVID-19 has turned many people’s lives upside down and right now large numbers of Kiwis are finding it difficult to provide healthy and nutritious food to their families, and this need is outstripping what’s currently being donated.
“As a country of nutritious fresh food producers, we want to provide people with a fair go and make the most of Aotearoa’s produce,” Keaney says.
“That’s where Fairgrow can help. We will capture and aggregate surplus and donated fruit and vegetables from across our 1,200 grower partners, as well as from our own business, thereby building a community of growers and partners who have a bit or a bunch to spare.”
National levels of food insecurity have risen sharply in recent months as many New Zealand families are facing increased financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. On the other hand, it is estimated $872 million worth of food is wasted annually – representing 122,500 tonnes sent to landfill.
“We know addressing food insecurity will require everyone, including business, Government and community groups, to work together and take collaborative action,’ says Keaney.
“Fairgrow will help with this by also raising funds to buy produce when it’s not in abundance or readily available, thereby providing Kiwis in need with greater availability throughout the year. Furthermore, at various times of the year, some produce might be left in the ground or on trees as it may not have a natural commercial home. Fairgrow will make financial contributions towards helping harvest and donate some of these crops.”
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
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Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
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