From Mareeba to Varsity Lakes and everywhere in between, Queensland is brimming with quality local produce.
Now Queenslanders have access to a directory of 224 suppliers who both produce and employ locally.
Speaking at the Ekka, Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the companies on the Food and Beverage Supplier Directory were providing jobs for Queenslanders and helping boost the state’s economy.
“I announced the establishment of this directory earlier this year and already we have had 224 suppliers approved for it,” Mr de Brenni said.
“To make the cut they have to prove they have a significant presence in Queensland, employ Queenslanders and use Queensland produce.
“Each year the Palaszczuk Government spends around $100 million on food and beverages for our correctional facilities, hospitals and schools.
“That breaks down to about $13.3 million on meat and poultry, more than $9 million in fruit and vegetables, $7.8 million on bread and milk and $6.4 in dairy products.
“We are committed to buying local and I hope through this directory, Queenslanders get on board too.
“If everyone puts products from these companies at the top of their shopping lists, it will mean a huge boost for jobs and Queensland’s economy.”
Mr de Brenni said the Buy Queensland policy was all about jobs.
“Every time the government invests $1 million into a project it creates the equivalent of 3.3 jobs,” he said.
“Queensland’s agriculture, fishing and forestry industry employs nearly 70,000 while more than 44,000 Queenslanders work in food product manufacturing.
“By introducing this directory, we are showing that we, as a government, support those companies that support Queensland jobs.”
Mr de Brenni said the Food and Beverage Supplier Directory had the backing of the industry and had been developed in conjunction with it.
“This directory is something that was suggested by the food and beverage sector and has been developed hand-in-hand with them through an advisory committee,” he said.
“I would like to thank the committee members for their work and I know that they have been actively promoting the directory in their particular sectors.
“What I would now like to see is more businesses getting on board so all Queenslanders can back them.”
Suppliers can apply to be on the directory by going to: qld.gov.au/buyqueensland
