October 31, 2026 will be the last day that Coles stores in the mid North Coast region have a direct supply of Coffs Harbour bananas pumpkins cucumbers in their stores.
In the last two weeks we have seen what we are being told are banana shortages across New South Wales, due to growing conditions in North Queensland.
Interestingly, Coles in the mid North Coast stores had plenty of supply during this time because Coffs Coast growers were still sending fruit via wholesaler Golden Dawn to stores and the market. We may be only 4% of the Aussie market, but we’re a big 4%.
See the video link included below regarding this so-called shortage and what it actually may mean. While you’re at it, if you really like to source locally grown produce, jump on board by downloading the uForage app. It will help you source good food, and bypass the supermarket chains. The app creator has been incredibly supportive of this fight with Coles.
Thank you to all of you who have signed this petition that is now sitting just under 38,000 signatures, as at the time of writing this update. Your support has met so much more than pushing Coles to reconsider their decision, you have encouraged more than 33 Coffs Coast farming families and reminded them that there is a reason that they go out day after day in all conditions, working very hard to grow quality bananas, pack it, and send it out to stores to end up Aussie fruit bowls, and lunchboxes.
Bananas are the number one item purchased in Australian supermarkets and we love them. Clearly, you do as well.
While we may not have been able to soften the stony hearts of the senior management sitting in the Coles offices, to reconsider such a poor decision to axe local farmers in the heartland of the big banana.
What has been achieved is a massive awareness campaign on how important our food security is, how important it is to ensure that you support stores and businesses that purchase and sell locally grown produce and products, and how we need to protect our farming in this country.
Our next massive battle is to fight the federal government’s assessment of a proposal by the Philippine government to import their bananas to this country. If this is to go ahead it will see the end of the Australian banana growing industry and the end of the beautiful Aussie banana that our country loves.
We will again be campaigning vigourously over the next 18 months while this process is undertaken, with the help of opposition politicians, community members and all Aussie banana lovers. I will share with you the petition link at the end of this update
I don’t have the words to full express to you how your support has given our local farmers boost that they desperately needed while they are fighting imports, massive increases to costs, ongoing government overreach, and ridiculous regulations imposed by the supermarkets.
So thank you, thank you for all the farmers. Please stay with us as we’re going to this next fight we’re going to need you and you’re going to need us.
Lee Gentle, on behalf of Coffs Coast & Mid North Coast Farming Families.
No Banana Imports Petition https://www.change.org/nobananaimports
UForage StoryBanana Shortage?