Parliamentary Friends Group to Champion Aussie Produce

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes the official launch of the Federal Parliamentary Friends of Fresh Produce, a new bipartisan group established to support and advocate for Australia's fresh produce industry. The launch event, to be held at Parliament House on Wednesday evening, will bring together key industry representatives, parliamentarians, and government officials to celebrate this important initiative."We are immensely grateful to the co-chairs, Senator Raff Ciccone and Andrew Willcox MP, for their leadership in establishing the Parliamentary Friends of Fresh Produce," said Claire McClelland, CEO of the AFPA. "Their dedication to our industry has been instrumental in bringing this group to life, and we look forward to working closely with them and all members of the group to advance the priorities of our sector."The fresh produce sector is a vital part of Australia's economy, contributing billions of dollars annually and providing healthy, high-quality fruits and vegetables to all Australians. The AFPA recognises the establishment of this parliamentary group as a significant step forward in ensuring that the needs and challenges of the industry are understood and addressed at the highest levels of government."The fresh produce industry is essential not only to the economy, but also to the health and well-being of all Australians and we are pleased to see this commitment from parliamentarians to support our sector and work with us to secure its future," said Ms McClelland.As part of the event, the AFPA launched its latest White Paper: Fresh, Healthy and Affordable - Growing the future of the fresh produce industry, which provides an overview of the state of the fresh produce industry and outlines strategic recommendations for ensuring its long-term sustainability and growth. The White Paper highlights key opportunities and challenges for the fresh produce sector, including growing trade, reversing a decline in domestic consumption, addressing labour challenges, and progressing environmental sustainability initiatives that are pragmatic and holistically considered. "The launch of our White Paper is timely, as it coincides with the formation of this important parliamentary group," said Ms McClelland. "We want to work with all interested parties and stakeholders to not only safeguard the supply of local fresh produce, but help our industry grow and thrive. We encourage everyone to read the White Paper and engage with us on its findings and recommendations as we work together to advance Australia's fresh produce industry."The AFPA looks forward to working closely with the members of the Parliamentary Friends of Fresh Produce to advocate for policies that will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. This collaboration is crucial for driving innovation, supporting growers, and ensuring that Australian consumers continue to have access to fresh, nutritious produce.About AFPA - The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) is made up of Australia's key fresh produce growers and suppliers. AFPA members represent half the industry turnover of the Australian fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) sector - $4.5 billion of the $9.1 billion total; 1,000 plus growers through commercial arrangements and more than 15,000 direct employees through peak harvest, and up to 25,000 in the grower network.