Sydney, Australia: Farmers across the State have embarked on a major public relations campaign to bring city consumers closer to the farm.
In a first for NSW, the Families Needing Farmers campaign has been launched in Sydney in front of hundreds of politicians, media, business representatives and farmers at the NSW Farmers. Association Annual Conference.
NSW Farmers. Association President Charles Armstrong says today marks the start of a multi-phased campaign that will invite metropolitan consumers to become .partners in farming.
“Gone are the days when most city residents had a connection to the bush and understood the processes involved to help feed their families, “Mr Armstrong said.
“Today, Families Needing Farmers invites city residents to get to know their farmers and reconnect with the people living in country NSW.
“Each year, every farmer feeds 150 people in Australia and 450 overseas – and they do it with pride. We want to educate people about where their food comes from and help them understand farm life, “Mr Armstrong said.
During the launch, Mr Armstrong unveiled for the first time the Families Needing Farmers television commercial, due to be aired in both city and rural markets across NSW from August.
Popular television personality and Getaway presenter Ben Dark has backed the campaign and appears prominently in the commercial.
“A lot of city folk think the farm is a long way away, but it’s really only as far as your kitchen table, “Ben Dark says in the television commercial.
“I want to help show the love, faces and passion that goes into everyone.s food everyday, “Ben Dark said.
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has also come on board to support the campaign. The left-handed opening batsman is widely considered to be one of the most promising prospects for Australia’s future.
“As the son of a banana grower at Macksville, I understand how much work is needed to put fresh produce on to the kitchen table of all families and I look forward to promoting this campaign in the future, “Phillip Hughes said.
City consumers are now invited to log on to the Families Needing Farmers website, launched at www.familesneedingfarmers.com.au
“If people log onto the website, they can meet the Flanagan.s from Griffith, the Sheedy.s from Gunnedah, or the Kirby’s near Moree as well as many other farming families across NSW, “Mr Armstrong said.
“Through this campaign, we aim to raise awareness of the modern face of farming and bridge the city country divide. We would like people to know where their food comes from . lets grow together, “Mr Armstrong concluded.
Source: http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/65723/141.10nr.pdf
