Many businesses are closing or reducing operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but Costa's Tomato Category remains open.

Based in Guyra, they employ 650 staff - and want more.

With many hired locally on a yearly basis, they've been minimally impacted by the loss of seasonal visa and itinerant workers, according to Tabbitha Collins from Costa's Human Resource department.

However in the past week alone, they have hired 11 locals hit by recent job losses.

Operations Manager Peter Davis said they will continue providing economic and social benefits to the community through the production of tomatoes, employment opportunities and local supplier engagement.

"Costa understands how employing local people can benefit not just any community but especially regional communities," he said.

The company provides around $30 million in annual wages and salaries.

An additional $5 million a year injected into the region through use of local contractors, tradespeople and suppliers.

"As a company, Costa is taking the COVID-19 situation extremely seriously," Mr Davis said.

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"The federal and state governments have classified agriculture as an 'essential service', so it is important that we keep operating."

Costa is practicing social distancing on site, have increased their regime of cleaning and hygiene practices, as well as temperature testing everyone entering their Guyra site.

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