The Albanese Government is ensuring farmers and fresh food suppliers are able to secure a fairer deal when negotiating with large supermarkets.
AUSVEG’s Know your Grocery Code Training, funded by the Albanese Government, is now available across metropolitan, regional and rural parts of Australia.
The program provides free, high‑quality training to fresh food suppliers, including rural producers and First Nation growers to help them better understand their rights under Labor’s mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.
Fresh produce suppliers often have less negotiating power when dealing with large buyers due to product perishability, long growing cycles and upfront costs that can’t be recovered if fresh produce goes unsold.
That’s why the Government has provided grant funding to AUSVEG and the National Farmers Federation to help fresh produce suppliers gain the skills they need to stand up to the big supermarkets.
AUSVEG’s Know your Grocery Code Training is being delivered through NextGen. Online and in‑person workshops will be available across Australia and can be found at the AUSVEG website.
This program is part of the Albanese Government’s efforts to address market power imbalances in the grocery sector, including making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory with substantial penalties, and agreeing in principle and progressing the ACCC’s Supermarket Inquiry recommendations.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Julie Collins MP
“Every community relies on our farmers and fresh food suppliers and we expect that they’re treated fairly when negotiating with large supermarkets.
“This program will deliver free training and education across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia, we are ensuring suppliers of all sizes can access the information they need.
“It’s about ensuring suppliers understand their rights under the mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, giving them greater confidence when dealing with large retailers.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, The Hon Anne Aly MP
“Small businesses and family run suppliers deserve a fair go when dealing with the big supermarkets.
“The Albanese Government backs common sense programs which provide practical training, helping them understand their rights, negotiate with confidence and get a fairer deal.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, The Hon Andrew Leigh MP
“Labor’s mandatory Food and Grocery Code gives suppliers stronger rights. This free training is about making sure growers know those rights and have the confidence to use them.
“Fair competition means a farmer who grows a great product should get a fair shot at a fair price.”
