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?

Just a little something about Coles

Today’s Sydney Morning Herald had an interesting story about Wesfarmers/Coles, so I found the link to share:

http://www.smh.com.au/business/wesfarmers-gets-serious-with-coles-revamp-20100409-rylt.html

Coles at Waterloo has the new layout that is mentioned in this article.  I must say I like the wider aisles and the old fashioned scales, and  I really liked the button on the milk stand which when pressed , moo-ed, but I wouldn’t say the place has soul (read the article – this is in response to a quote by Coles MD Ian McLeod).  I can’t imagine anyone saying a supermarket has soul.

Actually perhaps the Crown St Grocer is as close to a ‘supermarket’ having soul that I will get, but that may be because the boys carry my cartons of Pellegrino to the boot for me.  And they have fabulous carry bags .

Duffy Bros Supermarket grocery store cnr Riley & Oxford Streets Darlinghurst 23/03/10

I could have sworn there was a Coles Express in the Riley &  Oxford Sts vicinity, however I stumbled across Duffy’s.  In fact I believe this was where the Coles Express was situated.

Feel free to enlighten me.

Anyhow, all I wanted was 1 (one) lemon. $5.99 / kg.  Same price at the IGA further down on Oxford St.

Woolworths Marrickville Metro 28/02/2010

Note: this was Mr Fabulous and the children let loose grocery shopping without me to guide and berate.

W/W Lite Milk 3L $3.59

Farmers Union Ice Coffee Milk 2L $4.69

PDS marsh mallows 250g $1.99

Extra sweet mint chewing gum 2 pack $2.89

Patties party pies 1.25Kg $11.54

W/W health smart beef sausages 500g $4.73

McCain frozen baby peas 500g $2.85

La Famiglia Garlic Bread 9 slices 270g $3.87

Homebrand Apple juice 2L $1.89

San Remo pasta 500g $1.99

Homebrand instant noodles 10 pack $2.17

Kleenex 200 tissues $2.56

Cadbury dairymilk choc 200g $3.99

Kleenex 50 car pack tissues  $1.06

Leggos carobanara sauce 565g $2.99

Heinz baked beans 3 pack 420g $4.30

SPC spaghetti 3 pack 420g $4.19

plastic ruler 30cm 0.85cents

Bountry choc 12 pack 168g $3.99

Arnotts Milk arrowroot 250g $1.90

Arnotts tim tams 200g $2.89

Heinz soup 535g $3.09

John West tuna 95g $1.82

Golden Circle beetroot 450g $1.60

P/farm eggs 600g $4.37

Le snak 6 pack 132g $4.49

Watermelon 0.98cents / kilo

Kiwifriut $2.98 / kilo

Williams pears $1.98 / kilo

Grapes red globe $5.98 / kilo

Iceberg lettuce $2.48

Avocado shepard $1.98 ea

Carrots 1kg (pre-bagged) $1.29

Blueberry 125g $2.98

Almonds 750g $11.98

Coles Edgecliff 27 November 2009

3 L coles lite milk $3.96

Yoplait twin pack 175g $2.59

18 pack coles toilet tissue $9.89

bunch of celery $2.48

mortein mozzie zapper $9.99

Toilet duck protection plus 500ml $3.78

Toilet duck pine fresh 500ml $2.93

Blast dishwashing liquid 500ml $2.77

No Vac carpet deopderiser 290g $4.31

Coles baking paper 15 metres $3.39

Coles 6 pack wholemeal rolls $2.99

Annalisa kidney beans 400g $1.20

R2E2 mango $2.95

BBQ medium chicken $8.48

IGA Waterloo 23/11/2009

I attempt to get all my grocery needs in one monthly shop,  because I despise grocery shopping,    So I decided on IGA at Waterloo Sydney to pick up some milk.  The rest are ‘impulse’ buys or things I could recall on my list at home.  Truthfully only the tomatoes and cucumbers were on the list.  I really prefer the 3L bottles of milk as we go through a lot of milk.

 

Kellogs Special K 360g  $3.79

Mrs Brunt’s waffles 6 pack 2 x @ $4.25 ea

2 x 2 L Daisy Lite milk @ $2.79 ea

De Costi fresh cooked peeled prawns 325g $12.01

Cucumber 525g @ $5.49 kg

Trussed tomatoes  @ $8.25 / kg = $5.26

 

 

Woolworths Eastgardens 16/08/09

Here’s my receipt:

Sorbent Toilet paper hypallergenic 12 roll 4 @ $6.99 each  *on special*

WW Lite Milk 3 L 4 @ $3.66 each

Feta Morrocan 200g $5.99

Paul Newman Vinaigrette 250ml  $4.16

Homebrand cornflour 500g  $1.12

Krummies Multi grain breadcrumbs  250g  $1.57

Hercules zip bags 65 pack $2.87

Hercules zip bags 120 pack $5.79