The truth about imported food, land loss and why your choices at the checkout matter

In every sprinkle of seasoning and every splash of balsamic vinegar, there is a choice. A choice between real food, made by real people on Australian soil, or imported, mass-produced goods that often cut corners on quality and ethics. At Tweed Real Food, we are not just about flavour. We are about sharing the truth behind your food and why buying Australian made, grown and owned matters now more than ever.

Life on the Land Is Tough: The Harsh Reality for Aussie Farmers

We are a fifth-generation farming family, and the land has thrown just about everything at us. In the last few years alone, we have faced floods, droughts, hailstorms and bushfires. These natural disasters leave lasting scars, not just on the land but on finances, communities and futures.

We shared this journey in our recipe and storybook There is a story behind every meal because people deserve to know what goes into real food. When you choose to buy from us, you are not just buying a product. You are supporting a family that has kept going when it would have been easier to walk away.

Why Imported Foods Can Cost More Than You Think

Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world. It is something to be proud of, but it also means Australian made products often cannot compete on price with mass-produced imports.

At the supermarket, it is easy to grab the cheapest bottle of seasoning. But what most people do not see is that those imported products are often:

• High in sodium because salt is a cheap filler

• Packed with low-quality ingredients like flour and sugar

• Contain MSG and artificial anti-caking agents

• Mass-produced overseas with little transparency or traceability

Anti-caking agents are used to stop powders from clumping, but they also reduce ingredient purity and overall product quality. When you choose flavour over shortcuts, those details matter.

Australia Has Some of the Cleanest Food in the World

Our country has some of the most rigorous food safety, environmental and farming standards anywhere on the planet. Australian produce is known for being clean, ethical and traceable.

Many imported food products come from countries that do not follow the same rules. You may be unknowingly consuming foods with harmful chemicals or lower production standards. Choosing Australian made protects both your health and the environment.

Our Farmland Is Being Bought by Foreign Investors

Australian farmers have been under pressure for decades. While small family farms battle through droughts, supply issues and rising costs, foreign investors are quietly buying up land. It is called land banking, and it shifts food security out of Australian hands.

Countries like China are among the most active in acquiring Australian agricultural land. The more this happens, the more our ability to remain self-sufficient slips away. Supporting local farmers helps keep Aussie land in Aussie hands.

You Can Make a Real Difference

It is easy to feel like one person cannot change much. But your everyday choices matter.

Here is how you can help:

• Check labels and choose products that are Australian made and owned

• Support businesses that source ingredients locally and transparently

• Buy from brands that value clean, ethical food production

• Share what you know. When people understand the difference, they care more

We proudly grow some of our ingredients on our own farm and source the rest from trusted local producers. Our products are made without fillers, MSG or artificial junk. What you see is what you get — clean flavour with nothing to hide.

Real Flavour Starts with Real Choices

Supporting Australian farmers is not just the right thing to do. It is a powerful way to shape the kind of food future you want to see. Better flavour. Better standards. Stronger communities.

So next time you season a salad or dress a dish, choose something that tells a story. A real one.

Shop our full range of Australian made seasonings and balsamic vinegars and be part of something bigger than your next meal. Why not gift one of our Australian made and award winning Gourmet Hampers.