Australia is in an absolute state of panic over the few recent cases of strawberry tampering. While being freaked out about needles intentionally hidden inside our fruit is an acceptably normal reaction, if we let the fear win then the farmers lose out, big time.
???#WA #strawberry farmers are dumping fruit, following a price crash in light of the #QLD needle contamination scandal. Bullsbrook grower Jamie Michael told @jo_prendergast if locals continue to avoid buying WA strawbs, some growers won't be able to afford to plant nxt yr! pic.twitter.com/u5jv6KbQOh
— Lucie Bell (@lucieboots) September 14, 2018
Between the recall, the supermarkets taking certain brands off shelves, International distributors halting their Aussie strawberry distribution and consumers being scared off the produce, growers are suffering the impact of the panic.
“I’ve talked to the agents in Queensland — they’re telling me that 90 per cent of production there has been either thrown in the bin or not picked,” Brenton Sherry, who runs production business Kuitpo Strawberries near Mount Compass, told the ABC.
“Only 10 per cent will be saleable because the consumer’s lost confidence.”
"Within 3 days we lost it all." Strawberry farmers across Australia are facing devastating losses, as the needle sabotage crisis forces them to dump their crop. Video: Donnybrook Berries. #9News https://t.co/q9Bxiamy0H pic.twitter.com/AiqErGWHnM
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) September 18, 2018
The Queensland strawberry growers are pleading for consumers to remain calm and use common sense, which is exactly what we need to do.
We love strawberries! Dice them! Slice them!
Chew them carefully!
Put them in Smoothies! Smoosh them and make Strawberry Jam! Wear them as accessories!
Twitter users have started sharing their recipes and messages of support for the strawberry industry under the hashtag #smashastrawb – a campaign started by 6PR Morning Show host Gareth Parker. #Smashastrawb and ‘Cut them up, don’t cut them out’ are the absolutely excellent sentiments that people are trying to promote to help the industry.
There are enough ways to approach eating a strawberry that ensure you won’t munch down on a needle, so get around a couple of punnets and support the farmers.