The Appeal will fund seedlings and other startup costs for affected growers so they can get back on their feet, with funds administered by registered charity Foodbank. Applications for financial assistance will be assessed by an independent panel of growers and industry members.

The Appeal has already received over $20,000 for flood-affected growers, with AUSVEG SA, the South Australian Produce Market, AUSVEG, Visy, Peats Soil and CRT Virginia providing initial support.

The initiative also has backing from the Horticultural Coalition of SA who is encouraging members to back the Appeal.

“The recent weather in South Australia has had a tremendously damaging effect on horticulture growers, particularly in the state’s northern growing regions,” said AUSVEG SA State Manager, Jordan Brooke-Barnett. “It is estimated that losses in Adelaide’s north could be upwards of $50 million as a result of the floods, which has had a devastating impact on the growers in that area. We wanted to set up the SA Grower Flood Appeal to give the growers affected by the recent weather throughout the state a fighting chance to get back on their feet.”

“We have banded together with AUSVEG SA in a joint effort to unite industry and community support behind the growers working hard to feed our state,” said South Australian Produce Market CEO, Angelo Demasi.

AUSVEG SA is the leading body representing the interests of potato and vegetable producers in the state and provides growers with a united voice and strong representation with all levels of government. The South Australian Produce Market is the state’s primary fresh produce wholesale market, with over 250,000 tonnes of fresh produce traded between 45 wholesalers, 60 growers and hundreds of retail operators each year.

“We are extremely grateful for the donations we have already received to help affected growers and call on the industry and concerned members of the public to help out local growers by contributing to this fund,” Brooke-Barnett said.

SA Flood Appeal Donations

Contributions can be made at: www.foodbank.org.au/donate-online or by calling (08) 8349 4493.