Springbank farmer and Moorabool mayor Pat Toohey wants Australia to operate “more like a business” by processing surplus fruit and vegetables into storable forms to be donated to developing nations.
Cr Toohey said the plan would dramatically reduce waste and could include excess potatoes, stonefruits, apples, pears, tomatoes and even milk.
“The [federal] government could work closely with farming and manufacturing companies for a sensible payment process, above production cost,” he said.
“Another great advantage is that we’d create jobs and wealth for our own country.
‘‘Instead of produce being wasted, it’s harvested from farmers and supporting industries. It’s then manufactured by our companies, creating ongoing jobs.”
Cr Toohey said he believed it was a “clear-cut” move that would lead to good outcomes across the board.
“Instead of just money as foreign aid, we could send off our produce,” he said. “We’re not always certain that the money we send goes to who needs it most … this way we can be sure it’s distributed properly.”
Cr Toohey said the plan had received support from the Democratic Labor Party’s Senator John Madigan. He hoped other MPs and farmers would get on board.
Cr Toohey also called for government-run bodies such as jails, hospitals, retirement homes and the army to order produce directly from Australian farmers instead of looking overseas.
He said he hoped federal cabinet members would examine his proposal.
Bacchus Marsh orchardist Nick Dellios said Cr Toohey was on the right track.
“All that people struggling in poverty want is food, and a lot of farmers are throwing it away,’’ he said.
‘‘Giving it away will help the people who need the food, as well as the farmers.
