As Woolworths prepares to join Coles in no longer buying Tasmanian beef, local butchers and farm-gate sellers say they are seeing a surge in interest from customers looking to buy local.
Heritage Farms Tasmania, a Forcett-based operation selling beef and pork direct from the farm, posted a tongue-in-cheek open letter to Woolworths that has drawn a huge response online.
“Thank you for reminding Tasmanians that there are, in fact, farmers outside the supermarket supply chain,” they said.
The farm said it had noticed “something rather lovely happening” since the announcement.
“People are looking for their local farmers,” they said.
“They’re asking where their beef comes from. They’re asking how the cattle are raised. They’re asking who actually produced their food.”
Heritage Farms urged customers to tag farmers who sell directly to the public, attracting 750 comments from people sharing their favourite local producers.
“Every time someone decides to skip the supermarket and buy directly from a local farmer, it makes a difference,” the post said.
Local butchers have also seized the moment.
Right Price Meats in Bridgewater reminded customers it sources fresh Tasmanian cattle every week and has done so for years.
“It means fresher beef, great quality and most importantly, supporting Tasmanian farmers and keeping money in our local community,” the business said.
The butcher also pushed back on the assumption that buying local costs more.
“Despite what you might think, buying from your local butcher doesn’t mean paying more,” the business said.
“We beat the supermarkets on price on most of our everyday lines.”
Vermey’s Quality Meats in Sandy Bay echoed the sentiment, encouraging customers to back their local butcher and the farming families behind Tasmania’s meat industry.
“When you buy local, you’re supporting more than just your butcher, you’re supporting the farmers, producers and families behind Tasmania’s meat industry,” the business said.
