ISN’T the praise pouring-in for all of these truly altruistic, compassionate people and organisations doing their bit for the farmers.
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Gold coins here, pantry-packing non-perishable foods there, people really know how to mobilise.
It’s a deluge of support.
When it rains, support will dry-up.
When the drought breaks, we’ll go back to buying the cheapest, unsustainable sourced and packaged produce possible.
Presently, it seems everyone wants to feel better about themselves in this drought situation, but throwing your unwanted canned foods at the problem is a drop in the ocean.
Instead of supporting corporations, like Woolworths and Coles, and their expedient play for a bit of good PR, demand better of them, demand they pay producers more, in times of drought and rain.
While it’s nice to see Woolies chuck some cash into the buy a bale initiative, it’s really in a position to help agriculture in good times and bad.
Farmers need to be supported through grassroots action.
Through people paying more for locally grown produce, cutting out the supply chain and allowing farmers to enjoy the profits of their labour.
This needs to become a habit, not a campaign, because farmers can't eat your discarded canned tuna for very long.
At the moment, we’re happy to pat ourselves on the back when we part with a few dollars or chip in some groceries “for the farmers”.
Will you still feel generous when the times aren’t as hard?
Will you be willing to pay more for your food?
Is that not doing it “for the farmers”?
Is it too much to ask when you’re not getting attention for it?
All of New South Wales has been officially drought-declared and as dire a proposition as that is, it’s a chance to change.
Change the way you think about the food you buy and ask where it comes from.
Change the way you think about “the farmers” and how you can support those putting food in your mouth.