Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud
With recent scenes of chaos and panic in large cities throughout Australia, Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud has released a statement to ensure Australians that the nation’s food security is amongst the safest in the world. “People shouldn’t panic, we have an abundant supply of top-quality fresh food produced from all parts of the country that ensures that there will be plenty of food on the table,” Minister Littleproud said.
Chairperson of Harris Farm Markets, Catherine Harris, reiterated this in saying “I am very confident that we have a very good supply of fruit, vegetables and groceries in Australia, remembering that 96% of our groceries come from within Australia.” In Forbes over the weekend and throughout the week Woolworths and Bernardi’s saw a consistently busy stream of customers. Considering recent outbursts of anger and abuse aimed at staff, Woolworths Forbes store manager, Noel Reardon wishes to remind customers that Woolworths staff are “here to help,” and that “abuse of staff will not be tolerated.”
On Tuesday, Woolworths began it’s morning by closing its doors from 9am-10am to everyone except for elderly and disabled customers, giving the more vulnerable residents of Forbes a chance to shop in safety with the opportunity to buy much needed items that might have otherwise been sold out. Retailers do not know how long the restrictions on toilet paper and other items such as, rice, tissues and Paracetamol will be in place for.
Confronting scenes of chaos and violence witnessed in recent weeks are not only wholly unnecessary, considering that there is no shortage of food in Australia, but the behaviours witnessed are not in line with the culture of Forbes, a town famous for the friendliness and generosity of its residents. With a population of 25 million, Australia can produce enough food for 75 million, which is why there is no need to panic.