Queensland carrot grower targets families with lunchbox-friendly snack range of pre-cut and shredded carrots
Top Queensland carrot grower, Kalfresh, is supporting Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s whole-school healthy eating initiative Pick of the Crop, which aims to increase opportunities for Queensland primary school children to learn about and eat more vegetables and fruit.
Kalfresh chief executive, Richard Gorman, has found pre-cut carrot sticks, carrot shred and lunchbox-friendly snacking carrots increase consumption.
“We know kids (and parents) love carrots and changing the way we serve and pack them has made all the difference,” said Gorman.
Samantha Wyatt, Pick of the Crop regional coordinator in South-East Queensland, said carrots were a tasty, cheap and popular vegetable, particularly for kids.
“Carrots are a bang for your buck vegetable for families because they’re affordable all-year round and can be used in a variety of ways no matter if they’re fresh, frozen or canned,” Wyatt said. “They’re also rich in fibre, which keeps kid’s tummies happy and their digestion on track. Plus the folate in carrots helps support their growth and development.”
Offering pre-packaged chopped and shredded carrots has also helped Kalfresh reduce its food waste.
“We chop and shred the carrots that are too big, too small or too wonky through our Just Veg range of ready-to-eat products, so it’s easier for school tuckshops and families to add them to lunchboxes and everyday meals,” Gorman said.
“In the last eight plus years, we’ve transformed 5.5m kilograms of carrots from food waste into healthy snacks.”
Kalfresh has also started growing a smaller snacking carrot better suited for school lunchboxes and dipping.
“We love this time of year because it’s when Queenslanders are eating Queensland carrots,” Gorman said. “Our farms and factory at Kalbar are in full production and it’s been a great start to the carrot season.”
