By Alesha Capone
It’s mostly business as usual for the farms in Werribee South.
Agricultural producers in the suburb are adjusting to COVID-19 regulations as they continue with day-to-day operations.
Sisters Renay Ahmed and Danyel Cucinotta, who are third-generation farmers at LT’s Egg Farm and the adjoining Wyndham Cache Deli and Cafe, said they became “very busy” as the large supermarkets ran out of produce last month.
“However, our customers have been thoughtful and if everyone is patient and only purchases what they need, our chickens will continue to lay daily,” Ms Ahmed said.
She said that although the business has always followed a strict quality assurance program and food safety plan, they have now increased cleaning to an hourly timetable.
Ms Ahmed said they were also encouraging social distancing within the café, which is only permitted to do take-away.
“This is the time for us as a community to go to the butcher, bread shop, egg farm and utilise small local business,” Ms Ahmed said.
“If we do, more people will stay in a job, who then can continue spending money in the community.”
At Velisha Farms – a wholesaler of vegetables such s broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower and kale – managing director Catherine Velisha said demand from supermarkets had remained “relatively steady” in the past few weeks.
“Last week there was definitely an increase in demand, I think that was spurred on by panic buying,” she said.
“That seems to have settled a bit, after the weekend, particularly in Victoria, I think due to the assurances from the government and suppliers that we grow enough food.”
However, Ms Velisha said that wholesale markets might notice a reduction in demand as restaurants and cafes begin to close, as the coronavirus shutdown continues.
She said that while Velisha Farms had always maintained a high standard of hygiene, the business has now introduced working from home programs for employees; social distancing in its sheds; and different work times for staff.
