Over 30% of the fresh fruit & veg on Australian tables has passed through the Sydney Markets.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Sydney Markets
The Woolworths Agricutural Business scholars just spent the morning at the Sydney Markets at Flemington.
Over 30% of the fresh fruit & veg on Australian tables has passed through the Sydney Markets.
Over 30% of the fresh fruit & veg on Australian tables has passed through the Sydney Markets.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
The Woolworths Way
Day Two of the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship
The main focus of today's sessions was to give us an insight into the management of the Fresh Food side of Woolworths supermarkets in terms of how they manage this part of the business and the challenges they face bringing fresh produce to the consumer that is high quality, fresh, consistent and what the consumer wants.
Pat McEntee is the General Manager of Fresh Food for Woolworths and shared with us several key messages and it was interesting to hear how, as a company they are recognising the need to put the consumer first and foremost. There is soon to be a shift to try and break down some 'walls' and actually put the consumer in touch with the butcher or the baker who prepares that produce daily for that store.
I believe this all reflects on the consumers desire and curiosity to understand where their food comes from and is a great opportunity to educate consumers on the stories, industries and people behind the high quality agricultural produce that Australian farmers produce everyday.
Even the large supermarket giants such as Woolworths are realising they need to be part of the solution to help tell agriculture's story - and understand what it is that farmers do to produce that product so they can convey that to the consumer. For example - making butchers more accessible to consumers can provide avenues to explain how to cook which cut and what an MSA logo on the product actually means...
It was interesting to note that through some of their consumer focus groups and feedback studies, they discovered that there was a public perception that not all of the fresh meat was Australian grown and only 60% of the fresh fruit and vegetables was Australian.... in actual fact with Woolworths,
The main focus of today's sessions was to give us an insight into the management of the Fresh Food side of Woolworths supermarkets in terms of how they manage this part of the business and the challenges they face bringing fresh produce to the consumer that is high quality, fresh, consistent and what the consumer wants.
Pat McEntee is the General Manager of Fresh Food for Woolworths and shared with us several key messages and it was interesting to hear how, as a company they are recognising the need to put the consumer first and foremost. There is soon to be a shift to try and break down some 'walls' and actually put the consumer in touch with the butcher or the baker who prepares that produce daily for that store.
I believe this all reflects on the consumers desire and curiosity to understand where their food comes from and is a great opportunity to educate consumers on the stories, industries and people behind the high quality agricultural produce that Australian farmers produce everyday.
Even the large supermarket giants such as Woolworths are realising they need to be part of the solution to help tell agriculture's story - and understand what it is that farmers do to produce that product so they can convey that to the consumer. For example - making butchers more accessible to consumers can provide avenues to explain how to cook which cut and what an MSA logo on the product actually means...
It was interesting to note that through some of their consumer focus groups and feedback studies, they discovered that there was a public perception that not all of the fresh meat was Australian grown and only 60% of the fresh fruit and vegetables was Australian.... in actual fact with Woolworths,
- 100% of fresh meat is Australian grown; and
- 96% of fresh produce (fruit & veg) is Australian grown.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Sneak preview
Wondering what the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship is all about?
Here is a video on some of the participants at last years program.
Hopefully this gives you an insight into what the scholarship program is all about and some of the young people that these programs are identifying as the future of our agricultural industries.
This year's participants come from far and wide across Australia - from Western Australia, Northern Territory to central and Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, King Island and New Zealand.
And what is more exciting is the range of industries they represent. As part of our group this year we have beef producers and processors, tomato growers, garlic and grape agronomists, potato growers and dairy farmers, vegetable growers, grain traders, stock-feed producers, sheep farmers and assessors, feedlot managers, communication students, crop farmers, extension officers and animal health technical specialists. Such a broad range of fields but ALL involved in careers with agriculture. Should be a fantastic 12 days with some great discussions to be had!
Here is a video on some of the participants at last years program.
Hopefully this gives you an insight into what the scholarship program is all about and some of the young people that these programs are identifying as the future of our agricultural industries.
This year's participants come from far and wide across Australia - from Western Australia, Northern Territory to central and Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, King Island and New Zealand.
And what is more exciting is the range of industries they represent. As part of our group this year we have beef producers and processors, tomato growers, garlic and grape agronomists, potato growers and dairy farmers, vegetable growers, grain traders, stock-feed producers, sheep farmers and assessors, feedlot managers, communication students, crop farmers, extension officers and animal health technical specialists. Such a broad range of fields but ALL involved in careers with agriculture. Should be a fantastic 12 days with some great discussions to be had!
Welcome to Australia's Fresh Food People
Day One of the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship
This was the banner that greeted us today as we entered the Woolworths Limited Head Office and was also the message that Director of Supermarkets Tjeerd Jegen shared with us as he talked about the new strategy and direction Woolworths is taking with their supermarket business.
As one of the largest supermarkets in Australia, it was interesting that the idea behind their re-branding has been to go back to the simple messages of what they do as a business and highlighting the people that do this - yes that's right, highlighting the farmers that produce Australia's fresh produce.
This introduction was the tip of the iceberg for what was an incredible start to the Woolworths Scholarship program. We have already had the opportunity to listen to highly regarded industry speakers which gave us both a perspective on the value of our agricultural industries and also challenged us with what is the strategic long-term plan for Australian agriculture, as well as rub shoulders with some of the senior management team within the Woolworths Fresh Food division and learn about the day-to-day roles they play and challenges they face in making sure they get fresh produce from the farm-gate to the consumer.
This was the banner that greeted us today as we entered the Woolworths Limited Head Office and was also the message that Director of Supermarkets Tjeerd Jegen shared with us as he talked about the new strategy and direction Woolworths is taking with their supermarket business.
As one of the largest supermarkets in Australia, it was interesting that the idea behind their re-branding has been to go back to the simple messages of what they do as a business and highlighting the people that do this - yes that's right, highlighting the farmers that produce Australia's fresh produce.
This introduction was the tip of the iceberg for what was an incredible start to the Woolworths Scholarship program. We have already had the opportunity to listen to highly regarded industry speakers which gave us both a perspective on the value of our agricultural industries and also challenged us with what is the strategic long-term plan for Australian agriculture, as well as rub shoulders with some of the senior management team within the Woolworths Fresh Food division and learn about the day-to-day roles they play and challenges they face in making sure they get fresh produce from the farm-gate to the consumer.
Did you know:
- The gross value of agriculture, fisheries and forestries in 2009-10 was $45 billion.
- Of this $45 billion, 69% of that is exported. Australian farmers are well and truly helping to feed the world.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship
It has been a busy few weeks as I have been busy travelling to various Showgirl competitions and Show Balls across NSW - I have had a great time and met some very interesting people but I will share more of that with you later in a separate post.
Today's post is from Sydney as tomorrow I will be joining 30 other young agricultural enthusiasts on the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship.
Woolworths together with other industry sponsors have put together an intensive 12 day course for young people which has a focus on leadership and business skills which have an application in the agricultural industry.
We will be covering topics such as leadership, strategic and financial management, marketing, logistics and professional development as well as site tours of one of their major distribution centres.
This scholarship is a good example of how a large company is providing opportunities at a grass roots level for young people to explore the opportunities that a career within agriculture can provide.
I will bring you more as the week progresses so continue to watch this space!
Today's post is from Sydney as tomorrow I will be joining 30 other young agricultural enthusiasts on the Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship.
Woolworths together with other industry sponsors have put together an intensive 12 day course for young people which has a focus on leadership and business skills which have an application in the agricultural industry.
We will be covering topics such as leadership, strategic and financial management, marketing, logistics and professional development as well as site tours of one of their major distribution centres.
This scholarship is a good example of how a large company is providing opportunities at a grass roots level for young people to explore the opportunities that a career within agriculture can provide.
I will bring you more as the week progresses so continue to watch this space!
Friday, 10 August 2012
Bulls in the big smoke
Day two at the Ekka.
Today was a full day of stud beef cattle judging in the main arena. It is such a spectacle to see all the breeds out on display in the main arena for the crowds - it certainly has a fantastic atmosphere. (yes check out the main arena in the photo below - awesome stuff in the main arena - look at all the people and cattle out there!)
There is some very strong competition for the top prizes and it was great to see the size of the crowds ringside. The Queensland Showgirl finalists visited each ring to learn about the breeds and talk to the exhibitors as well as a few sashing duties along the way.
It was great to see the awareness and recognition of the Showgirl competition of the people around the cattle rings today. It really is a program that helps to bring people from all walks of life and all parts of the country together.
Also got to meet some great people around the stands such as the QCAS (Qld Council of Agricultural Societies) president and his wife and the 2011 Qld Rural Ambassador and Cattle Council Rising Champion - all great advocates of agricultural shows and getting more youth involvement in our shows.
More beef judging is on tomorrow as well as the interbreed - which is the best of the best!
Today was a full day of stud beef cattle judging in the main arena. It is such a spectacle to see all the breeds out on display in the main arena for the crowds - it certainly has a fantastic atmosphere. (yes check out the main arena in the photo below - awesome stuff in the main arena - look at all the people and cattle out there!)
 |
| 2012 Queensland Showgirl Finalists at the Stud Beef Judging |
There is some very strong competition for the top prizes and it was great to see the size of the crowds ringside. The Queensland Showgirl finalists visited each ring to learn about the breeds and talk to the exhibitors as well as a few sashing duties along the way.
It was great to see the awareness and recognition of the Showgirl competition of the people around the cattle rings today. It really is a program that helps to bring people from all walks of life and all parts of the country together.
Also got to meet some great people around the stands such as the QCAS (Qld Council of Agricultural Societies) president and his wife and the 2011 Qld Rural Ambassador and Cattle Council Rising Champion - all great advocates of agricultural shows and getting more youth involvement in our shows.
More beef judging is on tomorrow as well as the interbreed - which is the best of the best!
 |
| Qld Showgirl finalist Jane Lillingstone (representing South East sub chamber) and 2012 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl (me!) get up close and personal with the junior champion Charolais bull. |
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Off to the Ekka!
This week my showgirl duties have taken me north to sunny
Queensland to the Ekka – the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane.
NSW and Queensland are the only two states that still hold
an annual state showgirl competition. Last year a Showgirl exchange program was
started between the Royal Easter Show and the Brisbane Ekka. We hosted the 2011
Queensland Miss Showgirl, Samantha Gluer at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney
this year, and this week I am here in Brisbane representing the NSW Showgirl
competition.
I am already well into the jam-packed program they have
lined up for us, but some quick highlights for today was the visit to the Rural
Press office in Brisbane, home of the Queensland Country Life and afternoon tea
at Government House with the Governor of Queensland. (More on both of these visits
later). Her Excellency shared some inspirational words with us on remembering
the “big picture” and the importance of our shows in helping to promote agriculture,
which in her words is such a vital industry in terms of ensuring sustainability,
care for our environment and most importantly food security.
The Queensland hospitality has been great so far and I am
excited to see what the rest of the week will bring. I will bring you more updates on my adventures soon!
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| Queensland Miss Showgirl finalists, 2012 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl and 2011 Queensland Miss Showgirl winner at the Queensland Country Life office. |
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