FRUITLOVERS have flocked to the Chambers Flat strawberry farm fields in droves to pick their own punnets amid an unfolding strawberry contamination crisis.
Strawberry brands including Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis brands, along with Berry Obsession and Berry Licious have been re-called across Australia after needles were found inside the fruit.
The fruit sabotage has prompted the Queensland government to offer a $100,000 reward for anyone with information which leads to an arrest.
Chambers Flat strawberry farm owner Laura Hendriksen said it was a harrowing time for strawberry farmers suffering financially from the crisis.
“Every farmer has been affected by this, it is something the industry will need to work through,” she said.
“It has been a really good feeling with the community supporting farmers and us directly, it has been really helpful and people have been very understanding.”
“Customers feel the need to support Australian local farmers.”
Ms Hendriksen said people should remember to cut their strawberries before eating them.
Logan councillor Phil Pidgeon visited the Chambers Flat strawberry farm this week and called on the community to show their support.
“Certainly, we have had a few challenges in the industry lately…I would love people to come down support our local farmers,” he said.
“These guys employ our local people and do such a great job.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk set up a $1 million fund this week to support the strawberry industry.
The fund is designed to boost consumer confidence in the industry, investigate how to improve traceability in the supply chain and support growers through the rest of the season.
The value of Queensland strawberries to the Queensland economy for 2017–18 is forecast to be $160 million.
