Residents of Christmas Island face unique challenges when sourcing fresh produce, as the island's soil conditions and rugged terrain necessitate importing food from Perth. This often results in produce arriving squashed or bruised. Cafe owner Casey McDonnell noted, "If you have had to order leafy greens or fragile fruit and vegetables there is a chance they will get squashed and bruised and be unusable upon arrival."
Despite the availability of air freight services, the logistics still present issues. McDonnell explained, "Your supplier may not have considered the waiting period from when they dispatch your delivery to when it actually arrives on the island, meaning that produce can be moldy upon arrival." Additionally, the Indian Ocean Territories Price Index 2023 report indicated that food costs on the island are nearly 50% higher than in Perth.
In response, a local initiative has emerged to provide locally grown produce. The Green Space Tech hydroponic project now produces approximately 100 kilograms of fruit and vegetables weekly, focusing on leafy greens, bok choy, pak choy, and herbs. Project lead Ken Hawkins stated, "We're targeting the stuff that you really need to eat within a couple of days of harvesting it."
Supply chain issues remain a concern, particularly during high swells from November to March, which can delay ships from docking. McDonnell remarked, "That makes local supermarkets pretty bleak because they were relying on the ship to dock for heavier [fruit or vegetable] items." The report on Australia's Indian Ocean Territories supply chains recommends promoting and investing in local food supply improvements.
The Green Space Tech project, supported by Phosphate Resources Ltd and a $150,000 federal grant, aims to address these challenges. Hawkins noted, "The company is actually subsidizing the cost of the produce that we're getting out into the community just because it's something that really needs to be done."
The Australian government acknowledges the importance of reliable fresh food supplies to the region, with a spokesperson stating, "The government continues to support access to fresh food in the Indian Ocean Territories, including through significant funding of air freight and other initiatives."
McDonnell emphasized the project's value: "Without Green Space, we would not have opened up the cafe in the first place because our whole aim is based on healthy food." The cafe utilizes offcuts from the project for juices and smoothies, aligning its menu with the produce provided.
Source: ABC News