Freshmark’s policy agenda is focused on solutions that make working in our sector easier, more appealing and more sustainable.
Freshmark supports fair, equitable, and inclusive access to staff for businesses across the NSW fresh produce supply chain, and a safe, adequately remunerated work environment for workers.
To achieve this, our focus is on ensuring the sector is seen as a viable and appealing industry for workers to join. This requires the development of formal career pathways and educational opportunities for workers; adequate training and support for businesses around compliance; appropriate regulation of labour hire practices; and a strong commitment to worker wellbeing.
Access to fresh, safe, high-quality produce at an affordable price is the right of all Australians. Locally-grown, fresh produce should be prioritised in the community and the fresh produce supply chain must be protected to secure the future of the fresh produce sector.
Freshmark is committed to maintaining flexibility in the market to ensure produce can be grown and sold at a price point that is affordable for consumers while delivering business certainty for those in the sector. It is our position that food security cannot be achieved without securing the success of the businesses in the supply chain.
Safeguarding our natural resources is something the fresh produce sector has always been passionate and proactive about. It is critical to the future of the fresh produce sector, at all points along the supply chain. Freshmark supports measures that enable industry to deliver the right type and volume of produce to meet market demand, in order to reduce waste. Additionally, Freshmark is committed to enabling industry to implement new approaches to energy use, and prepare for and protect against the impact of climate change.
In addition, Freshmark is committed to participating in a whole-of-industry, national approach to the development of a fresh produce ESG framework will support industry participants to understand their obligations and manage their environmental profiles.
A sound regulatory framework is one that is fair, properly matched to the needs of the sector it serves and the businesses in that sector, and adequately resourced for enforcement when necessary. Regulatory authorities must consult properly with industry and take action as appropriate to ensure a fair and equitable sector.
Freshmark is committed to reducing the complexity and inherent unfairness of a multi-tiered approach to compliance in the fresh produce sector, while ensuring businesses are properly supported to understand and meet their obligations.
A thriving fresh produce sector relies on consumers who understand the roles of each player in the fresh produce supply chain and who recognise the value of buying and consuming nutritious, fresh, safe, domestically grown produce.
Freshmark will work with government and industry to help create an informed and empowered consumer base, which has the potential to drive up demand for fresh produce, and in turn help secure the future of this critical sector.
Freshmark has increased the amplification efforts of our advocacy by belonging to the Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Limited, trading as Fresh Markets Australia (FMA).
FMA is the national organisation representing each of the five Market Chambers, which themselves are organisations that represent the fruit and vegetable wholesalers located in each of Australia’s six central Markets (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle).
