MEDIA RELEASE

• MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:  Inagural Eat Australian on Australia Day event 
• 9am Wednesday 25 January 2012 
• On the steps of Primary Producer House 
• 183 North Quay, Brisbane 
•  Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer the Hon. Wayne Swan will be presented with a hamper of Australian produce by the agricultural commodity groups, as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for the support the Australian Government has provided in light of the climatic events of 2011. The Hon. Joe Ludwig will also be in attendance.
  

   Click here to read the official "Eat Australian on Australia Day" media event release

24 January 2012: Patriotism at the dinner table: Eat Australian on Australia Day

Australia is home to some of the best food in the world, and this Australia Day, Aussies are being challenged to step up patriotism in a new way: at the dinner table.

“Australia Day is a perfect time to support the Australian farmers who bring world-class food and drink to the table every day of the week, every week of the year,” says CEO of CANEGROWERS Steve Greenwood. ‘

“2012 is Year of the Farmer; there is no better time than this Australia Day to look across the table and take time to think about the faces of the Australian farmers who are responsible for producing the quality food, fibre and beverages we enjoy on a daily basis,” he says.

The sugarcane industry is the second largest agricultural export commodity in Queensland, and while the vast majority – around 80% - of Australia’s sugar is exported, peak group CANEGROWERS has been vocal in campaign for people to consider the farmers who not only produce food but look after the environment and are the foundation of many rural communities across Australia.

“Our farmers have done it tough in recent years, and through it all – cyclones, drought, and flood – our farmers have weathered the storm and kept food flowing through to supermarket shelves,” Mr Greenwood says.

“That pride in Australian farming comes through in the fact so many commodity groups partnered in such a short amount of time to put together the ‘Eat Australian on Australia Day’ initiative. CANEGROWERS, Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), AgForce Queensland, Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC), Resource Consulting Services (RCS), Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation (QDO), Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA), Australian Prawn Farmers’ Association (APFA), Growcom and financial services provider Intellichoice, have worked together on the concept, which is quickly building momentum.

A Facebook Page has also been created in support of the occasion, with agricultural organisations encouraging people to ‘like’ the page and add their own videos and photos to promote Aussie produce. www.facebook.com/eataustralian

Media comment: Steve Greenwood | CANEGROWERS CEO | 0488 721 156
More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444

Background information on Australia’s sugarcane industry 
Australia’s sugarcane industry is recognised as one of the most clean, green and progressive in the world
$1.5 - $2.5 billion value of production | 80% exported | 2nd largest agricultural exporter in Queensland (7th in Australia) | 3rd largest raw sugar supplier in world | 32-35 Mt cane | 4.5-5 Mt sugar | 4000 cane farm businesses | 24 sugar mills | 6 bulk storage ports | Tweet us @CANEGROWERS