Australian blueberries transforming farms across the globe
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The grandfather of Australia’s blueberry industry is joining forces with World Vision and Coles customers to transform the lives of farmers across the globe.
New South Wales blueberry company Mountain Blue Farms will donate five cents from every blueberry punnet sold in Coles towards helping farmers to improve soil quality, irrigation and boost yield in order to produce enough food for some of the world’s poorest communities.
Mountain Blue founder Ridley Bell, from Lindendale, first introduced the blueberry to Australia in 1976 showcasing the fruit, which he had grown in a Melbourne research centre, in the Victorian Produce Markets.
“People had no idea what they were,” he said. “They had never seen blueberries before.”
Since then, Mr Bell has been perfecting the blueberry and his Eureka variety is now farmed across the globe. But as his fortunes have grown, he has quietly sought to give back to the community.
“Mountain Blue has been at the forefront of blueberry innovation in Australia for four decades,” World Vision CEO Tim Costello said. “But the innovation has not only been on the farm but in the form of social innovation where the Bells are helping communities both on their doorstep and across the world.”
Blueberry production has grown from 60 tonnes to over 1000 tonnes in just five years. As production has grown so too have the economic opportunities with around 1000 pickers and packers to help deliver this year’s harvest.
“I have seen with my business how a farm can not only provide income for my family but opportunities for many others,” Mr Bell said. “When I visited World Vision’s projects, I saw farmers doing back-breaking work and struggling to generate enough income to support their family. But with the right support to improve their soil quality, infrastructure and yield, these farmers can not only provide for their families but deliver jobs and opportunities for their entire community to escape poverty.”
Coles General Manager Fresh Produce, Brad Gorman said, “Our customers loved Eureka blueberries last year and we’re really excited to have the unique blueberry variety back in season and available for our customers to not only enjoy but also support such a worthy cause.
“Coles is proud to work alongside innovative Australian growers like Mountain Blue Farms to help them grow their business and organisations like World Vision to support communities around the world,” said Brad.
Mountain Blue has already funded more than $1.2 million in World Vision projects in northern Uganda, upgrading teacher accommodation and maternal and child health facilities to help save the lives of women and children. Also, the Bell family gives generously in their local community of Lismore by supporting a homeless shelter and soup kitchen.
Find out more about World Vision's work with farmers.
Ends
Eureka Blueberries are exclusively available in Coles supermarkets in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
To find out more visit: www.eurekaimpact.com.au
For interviews, contact: Krista Eleftheriou on krista.e@worldvision.com.au or 0437 240 304 or Natalie Bell on natalie@mountainblue.com.au or 0413 611 336.
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