Letters to the Editor « Northern Rivers Talking Turkey

The Northern Rivers Talking Turkey (NRTT), is a rural independent newspaper based out of Kyogle in the Northern Rivers district of NSW Australia, which has the goal of informing local people about local and other issues of interest and promoting knowledge to the community about new and existing businesses and services available in our area.

The Northern Rivers Talking Turkey covers news and events which affect you, in your local area. Serving Kyogle, Casino, Wiangaree, Woodenbong, Urbenville, Bonalbo, Cawongla, Wadeville, Nimbin, Mt Burrill, Uki and everywhere between.

Letter to the editor

Posted by NRTT Editor in Letters to the Editor Write a Letter to the Editor about this Article

Dear EditorIn the last issue of the Northern Rivers Talking Turkey Issue 92 dated 1st December 2011, a reader urged us to support local businesses by buying local produce either at the new IGA Supermarket or visiting the Farmers’ Market. Where necessary, they also encouraged the purchase of international goods marketed under the Fair Trade banner.Yes, we should encourage people to support “LOCAL” businesses and farmers who grow produce for the market as this helps keep your money within the area. However, all is not what it seems. Take the small section at IGA boldly signed, “Northern Rivers Food – Finest Local Produce” for example. Sadly I was disappointed to find that a brand of coffee named after a well known coastal lowland town has used almost entirely “International Coffee” and the odd “International and Australian Coffee” in its products. Can you tell me when has “International” become acceptable as LOCAL PRODUCE? I think this is rather deceptive and calls in to question the integrity of such promotions as I am sure the relevant consumer authority might agree.As for the Farmers’ Market, it would appear the original charter for these types of markets has been compromised as RESELLERS have been allowed to operate “supermarket” size stalls and thereby overshadowing local farmers who actually grow the produce they sell. Yes, there is a place for Resellers at markets, but their role is to augment what local growers cannot produce in this area (and out-of-season fruit) because of climate and other factors. Money spent at the Resellers DOES NOT stay in the area as they are generally not local.I won’t go in to the Fair Trade issue in detail other than to say that coffee growers in a central American country receive the equivalent of around $0.40 per kilo for coffee parchment and yet you will have to pay between $50.00 and $70.00 per kilo under the Fair Trade banner. Not entirely FAIR TRADE is it!

S Phillips

Kyogle

Email: news@nrtt.com.auSMS: 0428 321 174

Post to PO Box 147Kyogle NSW 2474