Food Production in Australia – State of Origin

A recent episode of Cupcake Wars celebrated state foods by showcasing various items in cupcake form. Think Californian Oranges, Georgia Peaches, Iowa Corn, Texan Beef, Maine Lobsters, Montana Huckleberries and Virginia Ham to name a few. The Americans really know how to celebrate their regional produce and cuisine.

What happened in Australia? Our food growers are struggling, walking away from the land, as it appears we prefer to buy cheap imports. Fresh bread from the supermarket? The ACCC alleges Coles imports par-baked bread from Ireland.

We used to take pride in Tasmanian apples and potatoes, bananas grown in Queensland (hello fellow banana benders), Gayndah oranges, King Island dairy products, Chinchilla watermelons… why don’t we celebrate and support our regional foods?

It’s been a while…19 November 2010

My goodness, time flies! It’s mid November, how that happened so fast is beyond me. My pile of receipts has been growing taller on my desk, the food keeps getting demolished as fast as I can bring it home. The Woolies Homeshop delivery men will be expecting a Christmas tip from us ( Turkmani v Visvalingam [2009] NSWCA 211 ) 🙂

I was quite certain the cost of my favourite yogurt had suddenly jumped 30 cents after purchasing a container of Bornhoffen Acidoff yog 1 kg at Woolworths Town Hall 13/11/2010, cost = $5.29. That’s a 17% increase by my calculation. The delivery from Woolies Homeshop this week had it at $5.36 (I expect to pay a little more with the online shop). So I’ve used the search facility on this blog:

October Coles online $5.44
October Woolworths $4.99
September Coles $4.99
August Coles $4.99
May Woolworths $4.99
March Woolworths $5.05
March Coles $4.99
January Franklins $5.25

And the Woolies Homeshop free delivery option has disappeared… This reiterates how much I need to find another hobby. I feel like the grocery Rainman.

While I’m on a dairy theme, let’s talk milk. Specifically milk bottle lids. I note Dairy Farmers have introduced a “new freshness cap”. So that milk can be “stored on its side with less leaks”. Well, I’m pleased I’m not alone in buying cursed bottles. This week’s milk (Woolies Brand) however wasn’t the usual annoying pool of milk beneath each cap, but a delightful flow out of the fridge and pooling on the kitchen floor. It’s enough to make you lactose intolerant.We buy 12 litres of milk every time we go near a supermarket. A potent combination of a 13 and a half year old son, a 6 year old daughter and my love of lots of milk in my coffee. When we bought our fridge 2 years ago, I selected one that appeared to be bigger than we needed (a wise person told me to look for the biggest fridge you think you need, then buy the next size up). So the door can hold 3 x 3 Litre bottles of milk. But then where does the other bottles go, iced water and juice? Is it too much to ask for the bottle caps not to leak? All the bottles leaked not one appeared to have an obvious lower volume, AND as I was mopping up the mess, the other side of the fridge began to drip – and the bottles were on the bench top! I have moved on, my bottles are now nestled on a tea towel, with another folded tea towel lying beneath the tops like a long breast pad. Dee-lightful. However it beats cleaning the fridge twice daily.

Receipts / dockets

Woolies online 19 October 2010

4 free 100g Lurpak butter … mmm Lurpak

Easy Off Bam Power Cleaner Stain & Mould 500ml $6.04
Easy off bam Power Cleaner Grime & Soap Scum 500 ml $6.03
Betty Crocker Cake mix Choc Fudge 583g $3.99 (made in Australia from Australian & imported ingredients)
Betty Crocker Cake mix Devil’s Food cake 583g $3.99
Pop Tops Apple juice 6 pack 250ml $2.99
Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic Juice 1.5 L $5.90
Homebrand Apple Juice 3 L $3.00
Arnotts Family Assorted Biscuit 500g $3.49 (Made in Australia)
Carmans Bars Original 6 pack 270g $5.15
Carmans Bars Classic Fruit 6 pack 270g $5.15
Fresh raspberries 125g $6.97
Fresh Blueberries 125g $3.47
Patties Combo pack Mini pies and Sausage rolls 1kg $10.67 (Made in Australia)
Bert’s Gourmet Sausage rolls 25 pack 750g $5.36 (Made in Australia from local & imported ingredients)
Sargents Meat Pies 4 pack 700g $4.69
Logan Farm Chopped Spinach 250g $2.03
Woolworths Select Brussel Sprouts 500g $2.78 (product of Belgium)
Woolworths Select Cauliflower florets 500g $2.29 (product of China)
Woolworths Select Broad Beans 500g $3.01 ( packed in New Zealand from local and imported ingredients)
Perfecto Italiano Cheese Light Pizza Plus Shredded 250g $3.75 (product of Australia)
Tassal Smoked Salmon sliced 220g $9.66 (product of Australia – Tasmanian Salmon)
Vaalia Low Fat strawberry yogurt 900g $4.00 (made in Australia – owned by Parmalat)
Ski Smooth Yogurt Banana & Strawberry 6 x 150g $4.98
WW Lite Milk 3 L $3.59
Mighty Soft White Sandwich Bread 650g $2.99 (Made in Australia)

Big W Pagewood (Westfield Eastgardens) 21/10/2010

Colgate toothpaste 110g $7.68
Viva print paper towels 3 pack $5.18

Franklins Pagewood (Westfield Eastgardens)

Kelloggs Sustain 575g $5.60
Kelloggs Sultana Bran Buds 600g $7.99
Birds Eye Curly fries 500g $5.29
Birds Eye oven roast potatoes rosemary garlic 800g $4.19

Woolworths Marrickville Metro 31/10/2010 (docket number 1649 013 1342 0068 time 20:17

Bornhoffen Acidoff Yog 1kg $4.99 see rant above 🙂
fresh blueberries 125g $4.95
Strawberries 250g $2.95
Pink Lady Apples $5.97 / kg
Bananas $1.98 / kg
Arnotts milk Arrowroots 250g $1.90
Arnotts Saos 250g $2.49

I have a few more receipts to add…having a break 🙂

Woolies online 7 October, Coles Surry Hills 12 October & David Jones Market St Foodhall 13 October 2010

I think Woolies online read this blog. Why else would I get 3 x 100g packs of Lurpak as freebies in my order. I placed another order with Woolies last night and I hope I get more Lurpak freebies ;). No, the real reason is the $4.29 credit I had because they couldn’t supply Oceanspray Cranberry juice. No way is this stingy babe allowing that dollar amount be forgotten and absorbed into the Woolies ether.

Have you voted in my egg poll? You really should. It’s an egg-ceptional poll.

I’m trying to include the place of origin in my lists. My personal opinion here, but I feel that the Murray Darling plan would push food prices through the roof, and the consequences of that would be diabolical for Australia. I try to espouse what I term be ethically stingy, that is think about what you are buying & where it came from. Is saving a few cents on an import worth it in the end? And how about those food miles? Be realistic about how you shop and your budget.

< Clambers down from soapbox and gets into the lists >

Woolies Online 7 October 2010

Wondersoft toilet paper 24 pack made in Australia $9.98
Finish Dishwasher Rinse Aid Regular 500ml (no place of origin on packaging – Finish dishwasher cleaner made in Poland, tabs in Germany) $8.92
Omo Laundry Powder 2x concentrate front loader 5kg made in New Zealand **special** $29.99
Omo Laundry Powder 2x concentrate front loader 5kg Sensitive made in New Zealand **special** $29.99
Woolworths Select Baby wipes scented 480 pack made in USA $22.56
Pop tops Apple drink 6 x 250ml 100% Australian Owned made in Australia with local & imported ingredients $3.86
Pop tops Apple Blackcurrant drink 6 x 250ml 100% Australian Owned made in Australia with local & imported ingredients $3.86
Ocean Spray Raspberry Cranberry Juice 1.5L made with N American Cranberries and Australian and imported ingredients, packed in Australia **special** $4.29
Nescafe Blend 43 coffee 500g packed in Australia from imported ingredients **special** $14.99
Three threes Mightymite 290g made in Australia $2.49
Carmans Bars breakfast Original 6 pack 270g 100% Australian made & owned $5.15
Woolworths Selec Cheese Tasty Lite slices 500g product of Australia Tasmanian cheese $8.05
Woolworths sizzle steak product of Australia $12.95/kg
Woolworths lite milk 3L $3.59

Coles Surry Hills 13 October 2010

The thing about having a teenage boy in particular in the house is that they eat. And eat. And eat. 13. Same height as me. So you have to return to the shops and stock up. We go through at least 16 litres of milk a week. When I buy milk, I buy either 3 or 4 three litre bottles. I’ve given some thought to moving into a supermarket. We could bed down in the shampoo aisle as that section always smells so lovely. Unlike teen boys 😉

Wonder White bread 700g **2 for $6.00** regular $3.99 each
Coles lite milk savings brand 3L $3.59
Ski peach mango yog 1kg $4.99
Kelloggs Sustain cereal 575g $5.29
Coles bran 350g $3.29
Kelloggs Sultana Bran Buds 600g $7.99
Arnotts Milk Arrowroot biscuits 250g $1.90
Arnotts Sao 250g $2.49
Real foods Corn Thins 150g $1.96
Nutella 750g $5.50
Devondale UHT Milk 2L semi skim **special** $2.00
Nescafe Blend 43 coffee 400g **special $13.00**
Omo small & mighty 1 kg **special** $5.00
Sunny queen 18 eggs 1.06 kg $6.29 (they have smiley faces printed on the eggs)
Bananas $1.98 / kg
Murcott mandarins $3.98/kg
Seedless watermelon $1.48/kg

David Jones Foodhall Market St Sydney 13 October 2010

Broccoli $9.90/kg
Cauliflower halk $3.50

Coles Online 6 October 2010

Woo hoo, got my goodies. I feel so bourgeoisie when I accept these deliveries. I’ve placed an order with Woolies online – they have MightyMite – the delicious Australian made & owned alternative to Vegemite. Also, true to the half Scot I am, have managed FREE delivery (as opposed to the $9.00 charged by Coles). Mind you, Coles gave me 2 decent freebies – Masterfoods Garlic & Herb Marinade 375g and Masterfoods Tuscan Meatballs Receipe Base 600g. Both are “Made in Australia” with local and imported ingredients. Both are items I would never buy personally.

The Woolies delivery person won’t like me, have purchased laundry detergent (a really good special on my favourite bulk 5kg buy), and other heavy items. I have the storage, the stinginess to buy up big when items are really on special/discounted. Saves time and $$$ in the long run. I’ll get into this receipt now, I’m reliving my uni days via YouTube and tweeting about the songs! Green Day, The Offspring, Blink 182, Nirvana, Foo Fighters…still enjoy them!

coles.com.au

Bananas (loose each approx 180g) $2.28/kg (same price per kilo as bananas purchased by Mr Fab at Coles Surry Hills day before)
Coles SB reduced Fat Milk 3L $3.59 (same as the B&M Coles)
Devondale Extra Soft Blend 500g produce of Australia $4.44 (trying to find an alternative to my Danish butter addiction)
Dairyfarmers Thick & Creamy Field Strawberry Yog 550g Made in Australia $3.00 **special**
Sorbent extra thick white toilet paper 16 pack made in Australia $9.00 **special**
Sunrice Pour & Store Long Grain Rice 1.5kg 100% Australian rice and Made in Australia $5.00
You’ll Love Coles Greek Style Yog 500g Made in Australia $3.26 (Bornhoffen was $5.44!!)
You’ll Love Coles Ultra Shine Dishwasher Rinse Aid 250ml Made in Australia from local & imported ingredients $3.26

I’ll be shopping at Eveleigh Farmers’ Market this Sat (8am – 1pm) 243 Wilson St, Darlington, NSW (Adjacent to Carriageworks). Me and my trusty red notebook, noting prices & buying fruit, veg & meat. And of course, my fabulous nana trolley 😉

I’m back … Woolworths Marrickville 9 September 2010 & Coles Surry Hills 19 September 2010

I’ve been sticking to my ethos of “less time in the supermarket”. Last shop was a two trolley affair. We have a 2 door car, so you can imagine the fun we had packing boot. At least it wasn’t like a visit to Bunnings, where Mini-Me & I have to cradle items in the backseat. We took delivery of our new upright freezer (yay) and filled it with food (son took the opportunity to throw in meat pies, which I personally find awful unless I have made it – hence careme pastry and a truckload of mince/veges). We bought a truck load of ice cream as well, we don’t normally but, we have a big freezer to fill…let’s call it ice cream research (mind you, we have forgotten about the ice cream a little). Plus life has been busy with visitors and school holidays, so I’ve had to use Coles Online for this week’s hunting/gathering (no mega packs of loo paper – must remember my Woolworth’s Online password. Prefer them, they have free delivery options at anti-social hours). We’ve also had to run to the local convenience store for milk – $5.50 for a 2L bottle of Dairy Farmers Lite milk is insane; and we’ve done it more than once in the past week. Could’ve bought a cow…

This month is Buy Nothing New. I broke it on the 2nd of October – bought my son a new pair of shorts and my daughter a new swimsuit. Son is growing and daughter has school swimming lessons next term. I go with her for her after school lessons and assist her getting into her fastskin (kidding she’s 5, it’s a normal butterfly back). Sadly both articles are not made here in Australia. I really have to get cracking with a list of Australian Made clothing. There’s a fab shop on King St Newtown (!!!) near the Alice St intersection that makes lovely and competitively priced women’s business attire. Name escapes me at the moment. As well, I did found some fabulous Australian Made men’s underwear at Paddington Markets 2 weeks ago – Mr Fab wasn’t keen on the prints. Sadly we, as a community, are accustomed to buying undies cheaply – $40 for a pair of bespoke men’s undies, albeit made in Australia, is excessive. Perhaps they could be the ‘good underwear” Mothers entreated us to wear for the occasion the bus ran us over… However, our house is full of items, that realistically we don’t use/need. I constantly have a bag of clothes for donation to the Salvos (I take it direct to the Salvos at Redfern). Seriously, as soon as I deliver it, another one gets started. Clothes outgrown but not outworn go to the Salvos, others get placed in my cleaning basket for dusting cloths. I did think I had reigned myself in when it comes to my children’s clothes, but it appears the reality may be different. I promise to tweet how I am travelling in that regard!

Anyhow I have 2 dockets to record, one is almost a metre long (there were sidelong glances at Coles Surry Hills that day).

Woolworths Marrickville

WW lite milk 3L $3.59
Pop Tops 250ml 6 pack $2.99
Hercules sandwich sealable bags 120 pack $5.61
Lipton Ice Tea 500ml $2.29
Bulla cream 600ml $3.73
Lychees 565g tin $2.88
Moove milk 600ml $2.94
Boccocini 220g $5.99
CSR sugar cubes 450g $3.58
Arnotts Saos 250g $2.49
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.90
WW floor kitchen bathroom wipes 100 pack $4.24
WW Pavlova meringue 500g $9.78
Nescafe Gold 200g **special** $9.99
Edgell Super Sweet corn tin 420g $1.82 (this is the only type that is Made in Australia with local ingredients, other Edgell tinned corn are a combo of local & imported)
Seedless Watermelon $2.63/kg
Pink Lady Apples $3.14/kg
Bananas $1.98/kg
Cucumber Lebanese $6.98/kg
Kiwifruit green large $2.98/kg (never seen kiwifruit sold this way before, bought over a kilo!)
Broccoli $3.98/kg

Coles Surry Hills

Sargents Meat Pies 4 pack **special 2 for $8.00** regular $5.99 each
Lipton Ice Tea 1.5L ** special 2 for $5.80** regular $3.39 each
Cadbury block Chocolate **special 2 for $7.00** regular $4.29 each
Wonderwhite 700g bread **special 2 for $6.00** regular $3.99 each
Hamburger Rolls 6 pack **special 2 for $3.50** regular @.40 each
Nestle Connoisseur Ice cream 1 L $8.99
Coles Finest Icecream 500ml $6.99
Weis Ice cream 1 L $7.99
Bornhoffen Natural yog 1kg $4.99
Herbert Adams Vege pasties 700g 4 pack $6.48
Fantastic Hokkien thin noodles 450g $2.25
Wedgewood sausage rolls 40 pack $4.00
La Famiglia garlic bread 450g $3.00
Aunty Kath’s Cookie dough 450g $4.11
Ski Wild Strawberry yog 1kg $4.99
Coles floor wipes 30 pack $4.99
Pantene Shampoo 750ml $15.69
Pantene Conditioner 750ml $15.69
Coles Toilet bleach gel 500ml $2.29
Real Foods corn thins 165g $2.39
Carmens Muesli bars 540g 12 pack $8.99
Coles lite milk 3L $3.96
Sanitarium Up and Go 6 pack $7.66
Devondale UHT 2L lite milk $3.05
Sunrice thin rice cakes 195g $2.38
Arnotts 9 grain vita wheat biscuits 250g $2.99
Kelloggs Sustain cereal 575g $5.29
Arnotts Milk Arrowroot biscuits 250g $1.90
Arnotts Marie biscuits 250g $1.90
Fountain tomato sauce 600ml $2.09
Fountain Smokey BBQ squeeze sauce 500ml $1.80
Golden Circle beetroot sliced 450g $1.60
washed potatoes $1.78/kg
bunch Organic celery $3.98 (stays crispy, even after cooked in soup)
Mandarins $3.98/kg
zucchini $7.98/kg
blueberries 125g $4.48
Watermelon seedless $2.25/kg
quarter cabbage 0.78 cents
half rockmelon $1.59
half cauliflower $1.59

Remember to share prices in your area! The comment area is for you. I can only do so much of the Sydney Metropolitan area alone!

The Importance of Being Earnest or Truth In Labelling and the Consequences

I’m sure we all try to buy Australian owned and/or made in our choices (obviously if you are reading this from elsewhere on our planet, you are forgiven).  For example I buy Nerada Tea exclusively, Stuffed Olives and MightyMite (fabulous alternative to vegemite, so much nicer) manufactured by Three Threes.  I read the labels and make my choices dependant on what is on offer – “Australian Owned and Made” trumps in my hierarchy.

I was saddened by Golden Circle’s choice to sell out to Heinz in 2008, but chose to buy their products if I saw “Made in Australia with Australian produce” (or words to that effect).  Apparently, GC were still labelling their products Australian Owned.  Tut tut.  Not cool.   And now, as punishment over 1 million kilos of pineapple, the iconic Golden Circle product, has had to be disposed of. I’m pleased it hasn’t gone to waste: the mis-labelled product has been given to Foodbank, an organisation which assists in the distribution of food relief to those who need it here in Australia.

Just as an aside as this is a grocery focussed blog, in the Adventures Of Fab at Parramatta Westfield, my mini-Fabette and I had a stickybeak in Supre,  a clothing shop for young woman & teens that concentrates on cheap and trendy gear  – disposable fashion.  Because as the fabulous Heidi Klum says “In fashion, one day you’re in, next day you’re out.”

I noticed a some of their items had tags saying something along the lines of bringing back manufacturing to Australia, in other words these items were Made in Australia.  I do hope this is not like the UK version – where as long as the last button is sewed on a garment in the UK,  it can be labelled “Made in the UK” (nevermind the rest of it was sewn in Hungary).