Australian sustainable grocery subscription service Farmers Pick has expanded to Queensland. The start-up will now deliver its ‘imperfect’ fruit and veg boxes to over 1.5 million households across Queensland from their new premise in Brisbane. The expansion means Queenslanders can now get a variety of affordable fresh produce and pantry staples delivered to their doorstep. Those living in the state can pre-order their first box from 16 August, with the first boxes being delivered on the 25 August.
Farmers Pick has been combating food waste in Australia since its inception in 2020. To date, the business has successfully rescued “more than 1,500,000 kilograms of perfectly good produce,” a large portion of which has been saved from Queensland farms, in growing areas like Bowen and Lockyer Valley. “Farmers Pick has achieved this by selling produce that doesn’t meet supermarkets’ unrealistic beauty standards to households across Australia for up to 30% less than supermarket prices.”
Farmers Pick is based in Morningside, Brisbane, meaning it is able to service south-east Queensland from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg. Prices for fruit and veg boxes start at $36 for a solo box, which features 6kg of fresh, perfectly imperfect produce across 16-20 varieties. Alongside fruit and vegetable boxes, Queenslanders will also be able to access The Farmers Pick Pantry offering which features preserves, alternative milks and preserves like peanut butter.
Farmer’s Pick co-founder Josh Ball says the expansion is a step towards national expansion, with the startup’s goal of eradicating food waste and increasing sustainable food options for Australian families, remaining front and centre.
“Our expansion into Queensland is a huge milestone for the business and a goal we have always wanted to achieve. With food waste costing Australians $36.6 billion per annum, we believe that everyone across the country is deserving of convenient and simple solutions to make a difference. We are thrilled to now be able to make a difference to Queenslanders, bringing us one step closer to our mission of building a sustainable food system for all.”, he said.
As grocery prices are increasing throughout Queensland, the expansion into the state is also a big win for consumers, co-founder Josh Brooks-Duncan says.
“Over 30% of food never leaves the farm. If a fruit or vegetable has a small mark or is ‘non-standard’ in shape or size, they are rejected by major supermarkets. Excessive food wastage means that farmers are less profitable and the cost of fresh produce skyrockets for households. By working with farmers to save fruit and vegetables that would be otherwise wasted, Farmers Pick helps save consumers up to 30% on their grocery shop each week – a much-appreciated saving at a time when food prices are soaring”, he said.
