Government backs grocery code training for growers

The Federal Government has announced new support for farmers and fresh food suppliers through a national training program focused on the mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

Funding has been awarded to the National Farmers Federation and AUSVEG to deliver the Know Your Grocery Code program, which will provide free training to suppliers negotiating with major supermarket chains.

The program will include online learning, regional workshops and face-to-face sessions aimed at helping growers better understand their rights under the strengthened Code, which became mandatory earlier this year.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the initiative is designed to give suppliers greater confidence when dealing with large retailers and improve fairness across the grocery sector.

AUSVEG Chief Executive Michael Coote says the training comes at an important time for vegetable growers, who continue to face rising production costs and ongoing pressure securing viable returns from supermarkets.

Under the program, AUSVEG and training partner NextGen Group will deliver legally validated education sessions across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia, with rollout expected to begin later this year.