Yes they do. But it does not mean that all their produce is not fresh.[quote=“annaa63, post:40, topic:15618”]
A few years ago one of the supermarkets was fined for selling apples from China as local and fresh, when in fact they were 9 months old.
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Yes, Australia can import apples from China…but some of the local ones are stored up to (and potentially longer) 10 months. If one buys apples at a farmer’s market out of season (the green apples on this figure is the peak harvest time and the red is predominately stored apples).
Yes, some of the supermarket (individual) stores were fined for incorrect country or origin…
but this was found not to be widespread or systemic conduct across the whole of the business…possibly local store staff not taking care when producing instore labelling.
Unless one knows the storeholder at a farmer’s market is an apple grower and buys their apples in the harvest month (or in periods adjacent to), then the apples will have been stored anywhere up to 11 months (as shown for the granny smiths). Does one really know at a farmer’s market if say the apples (or other none seasonal produce) are local or imported? If it is locally unseasonal?
This link has detailled information of when fresh produce is likely to be in season:
If one buys fresh produce out of season in their local area, it will be transported and stored. Storage may be short or long term.
I agree with @gordon that some storeholders (like farm gate sales) are genuine in only selling produce they have grown, but there has been a growing trend in our local area for broader range of produce to be sold to meet customer needs and expectations. Some farmer’s markets have also been ‘infiltrated’ by local greengrocers as another retail avenue for their business.
And no, haven’t been to the Tamworth ones but been to many in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania. We have also been to ones overseas as well. We enjoy visiting them when travelling as there is often produce not available where we line, giving us an opportunity to buy and try.
This ABC article is also worth reading as it outlines issues with out of season produce:
