RED PLATEAU ORGANIC PRODUCE RECEIVE $500,000 WOOLWORTHS GRANT

Red Plateau Organic Produce, a family-owned grower in Comboyne NSW, has received a grant from the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund to help rebuild its business following the devastation of last summer’s bushfires.

Red Plateau was founded by Sandra Fishwick, a long-time organic grower who began producing organic vegetables for wholesale and local markets in the 1980s.

Sandra has since introduced new crops, including 3,000 avocado plantings, and now manages the business with her two sons, Joey and Carl Hanly, across two properties on the NSW mid north coast.

After persevering through crippling drought, in 2019 a fire storm swept through the area surrounding Red Plateau, burning more than 40 per cent of one property and many of the business’ avocado trees.

A $500,000 grant from the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund will help Red Plateau rebuild, ensure water security for the future and invest in increased production with a new cool room and a cherry picker for harvesting.

Red Plateau’s owner, Sandra Fishwick said: “We want to restore our farm to its former glory and will replant and expand with more avocados.

“We have worked hard to make sure that what we have developed will continue for the next generation.

“Thanks to the grant from Woolworths we will be able to move forward and rebuild at a faster pace.”

The grant will not only assist the business’ regeneration and investments to expand production, but marks the beginning of Red Plateau supplying its avocados to Woolworths.

Ms Fishwick added: “At the moment our avocados are being sold to wholesalers. The grant will give us market certainty and stability - and we’re excited about the prospect of seeing the avocados we proudly grow in Woolworths stores.”

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said: “Comboyne is blessed with amazing rich fertile soils and with more Australians choosing to buy organic produce you won’t find Avocados better than these.

“The fires and floods have had a devastating effect on our towns and villages, this partnership which will see Comboyne avocados in Woolworths stores is great news for Sandra, the team at Red Plateau Organic Produce and the Hastings Valley.”

Woolworths General Manager of Fruit and Vegetables, Paul Turner said: “Organic fruit and vegetables are appealing to a growing number of Australians, so we’re partnering with farmers to provide the boost they need to expand production and keep up with demand in the years ahead.

“Sandra Fishwick saw the potential of organic production early on and has built a great business. After all she’s been through, we’re pleased to play a part in not just restoring her avocado orchard, but helping the family build back better for the long term.

“We look forward to partnering with Red Plateau to help meet the growing demand for organic avocados with quality locally-grown produce in the years ahead.”

Round five of the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund is now open and Woolworths is inviting farmers to apply by 18 June 2021.