Mountain Blue Farms will donate five cents from every blueberry punnet sold in Coles stores to projects helping farmers in some of the world's poorest countries, announced World Vision Australia.
Mountain Blue Farms, which was founded by Ridley Bell after he introduced the blueberry to Australia in 1976 and which now produces more than 1,000 tonnes of blueberries a year, has already funded more than $1.2 million to World Vision projects in northern Uganda, centred on upgrading teacher accommodation and maternal and child health facilities. Under the new announcement, funds will be put towards supporting projects aimed at helping farmers improve soil quality, irrigation and boost yields.
World Vision Australia CEO, Tim Costello, said Mountain Blue has been at the forefront of blueberry innovation in Australia for 40 years, not only on farms but "in the form of social innovation where the Bells are helping communities both on their doorstep and across the world".
Mr Bell said he had seen, from his own business experience, how a farm could, as well as provide an income for his family, also provide opportunities for others. "When I visited World Vision's projects, I saw farmers doing back-breaking work and struggling to generate enough income to support their family," he said. "But with the right support to improve their soil quality, infrastructure and yield, these farmers can not only provide for their families but deliver jobs and opportunities for their entire community to escape poverty."
Brad Gorman, Coles' general manager of fresh produce, said the company was proud to help innovative Australian growers like Mountain Blue Farms expand their business and organisations, like World Vision support, to communities across the world.