Woolworths has had announced its third funding round of its Woolworths Organic Growth Fund to allow organic fruit and vegetable growers to upgrade production systems and develop expansion plans.
Four successful recipients were named in the round, including Cantrill Organics, Kalafatis Fresh Produce, Wattle Organic Farms and Prime Organics.
Woolworths general manager of fruit and vegetables Paul Turner said customer demand for organic fruit and veg continues to grow at around 20 per cent a year.
“We’re working in close partnership with local farmers to ensure we can meet the growing demand with Aussie grown products,” said Turner.
“In this round, we’re backing four more hard-working and entrepreneurial Australian farming families, with another $1 million in investment through the Organic Growth Fund.”
“This includes a $500,000 grant for the Kalafatis family to branch out into organics. The Kalafatis family has been a trusted supply partner to Woolworths for more than 50 years in the conventional space, and we’re excited to be deepening our partnership.”
The $30 million fund was established in 2018 in partnership with Heritage Bank.
Applications for the fourth round of the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund are now open and close on 11 October 2020.
