You've heard of paddock-to-plate businesses and farmer co-ops, but what about a combination of the two?
Well, Free Range Family Co-op in southeast Queensland is doing just that, and as it approaches its fourth anniversary, founder and marketing manager Zoe Smyth is eyeing growth.
"We currently deliver monthly to 30 to 50 people across the Toowoomba and Brisbane region, but we're looking to change to fortnightly deliveries and would like to at least double that," Mrs Smyth said.
"We'd like to increase the output for the farmers to benefit from it."
Mrs Smyth said while sales did increase during Covid lockdowns due to the popularity of non-contact delivery, she was hopeful consumers would continue to support them during "regular" periods as well.
"Just like all these paddock-to-plate things, I think you've just got to get to a certain level for it to really pay off, so I feel like we've done the hard yards now.
"We've gone through all the hurdles and we've got some really loyal customers, which is always comforting."
The co-op initially offered beef, poultry, egg, lamb and pork in its delivery service, but Mrs Smyth said they were looking to diversify their offering and get more farmers involved.
"Our poultry farmers, the Neuendorf family at 9Dorf Farms in the Lockyer Valley, recently started selling fish.
"We're also looking at potentially selling boxes of vegetables for a group of farmers at the moment."
Mrs Smyth, who grew up on a Cunnamulla property with parents Stuart and Pru Barkla, is now a full time vet in Brisbane, wife to Phill and mother of two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Phoebe.
Her passion for the project was first sparked at that property.
She was feeding sheep one morning, hoping the cost of the hay would be covered by the price of the prime lambs jostling to enjoy it.
The sale price of the lambs was yet to be determined, leading to a familiar cycle of uncertainty and worry for her parents and other farmers like them.
She thought there had to be a better way for farmers who cared for their animals and environment to receive a consistent price for their hard work.
"You just become so isolated in urban environments from what's going on and from where your food is coming from, so that's what drove me to go, 'We need to change this and try and create a way for people to communicate with farmers or connect with farmers through food'."
Practicing as a vet on the Darling Downs and witnessing the daily struggles of many farmers, the need for all Australians to support the people who grow the food became more apparent to her.
"The idea came about when I was working at a Pittsworth vet surgery for four years. I was working with a lot of farmers from the dairy and cattle industry mostly.
"I could see the cost-price squeeze effect that was happening for farmers but also consumers seemed to be disconnected."
The idea for a co-op then came during a visit to Maleny.
"I came across a co-op in Maleny when I was there for a wedding. A friend there said, "You should do this".
"I got going and then I thought a co-op would work well, and there was funding to create a co-op - the Farming Together grant - so I applied for that."
Driven by her heart, she collaborated with a group of dedicated, sustainable farmers who have all agreed to abide by a statement of farming principles.
The co-op families are: Flagstone Creek poultry, egg and fish producers the Neuendorfs, Clifton sheep producers the Barklas, Chinchilla cattle producers Jon and Vanessa Holt, and pork producers The Paddock.
Mrs Smyth said in addition to producing meat and eggs, the members carried out other roles like packing, logistics, bookkeeping and administration.
"It's really a team effort now. I think the women are doing most of it (logistics) because the men have to keep things going on the farm and there's a lot of work involved obviously. I think we've got a good balance."
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Brandon Long
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
Brandon Long is a Queensland Country Life journalist based in Toowoomba.
