Online retailer comes to aid of cyclone victims

Internet Retailing

31st Mar 2017

Aussie Farmers Direct is running a campaign to support rural and regional communities affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

From 30 March until 13 April 2017, the online retailer will donate $1 from every Seasonal Vegetable box and $2 from every Family Fruit & Veg box purchased to the Aussie Farmers Foundation.

Cyclone Debbie hit the “food bowl of the north” around Bowen on the Queensland central coast, which supplies at least 90 per cent of the tomatoes and capsicums eaten in Australia in the winter months.

With the cyclone and its aftermath heavily affecting Queensland, Aussie Farmers Direct’s CEO Brendan Shaw said it was vital that as much support as possible be given to the affected farming communities.

“The disaster is still unfolding, so we know the impact is only going to get bigger for farming communities in Queensland,” Shaw said.

“At this critical time, we’re asking our customers to help support the farmers and growers who are feeding the rest of the country, by purchasing a Family or Seasonal box of 100 per cent Australian fresh fruit and vegetables.

“As well as the money that goes directly to disaster relief efforts, customers can be assured that the produce they purchase helps keep local farms up and running, ensuring vibrant and sustainable rural communities,” Shaw said.

Aussie Farmers Foundation executive officer Julia Hunter said the Foundation understands the challenges that farming communities are experiencing.

“The Aussie Farmers Foundation has already been a major contributor to disaster relief for farming communities for some time now,” Hunter said.

“We recognise that disasters have a long-lasting impact and farming communities will be doing it tough for some time, so we will be partnering with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to help communities during the recovery phase.”

Shaw emphasised the online retailer’s longstanding support of the Australian farming community.

“We have been passionate supporters of the Australian farming community since we first started the company more than ten years ago, and we want to do our part to help them access the resources they and their communities need,” he said.