- The Scenic Rim is the carrot capital of Queensland and produces about 600 million carrots a year
- Carrots are rich in fibre and folate, which boost gut health and support healthy growth
- They are one of kids’ favourite vegetables due to their snap, crunch and fresh taste
The budget-friendly carrot is now in-season with millions of Queensland-grown carrots hitting the shops from June.
Queensland’s Scenic Rim is the carrot capital of the state and produces about 600 million carrots a year, mostly between June and December.
Samantha Wyatt, Pick of the Crop regional coordinator in South East Queensland, said carrots were a tasty, cheap and popular vegetable, particularly for kids who love them for their snap, crunch and fresh taste.
‘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,’ Ms 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.’
Kalfresh, Queensland’s largest carrot grower, supports 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 CEO Richard Gorman said one of the most successful ways they found to increase the consumption of nutrient-rich vegetables like carrots, was to offer ready-to-eat products like freshly cut carrot sticks, carrot shred and lunchbox-friendly snacking carrots.
‘We know kids (and parents) love carrots and changing the way we serve and pack them has made all the difference,’ Mr Gorman said.
‘As growers we had food waste, so it’s a win-win. 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.
‘In the last eight plus years, we’ve transformed 5.5-million kilograms of carrots from food waste and into healthy snacks.
‘We also now grow a smaller snacking carrot that is sweet and perfectly-sized for school lunchboxes and dipping.
‘We love this time of year because it’s when Queenslanders are eating Queensland carrots. Our farms and factory at Kalbar are in full production and it’s been a great start to the carrot season.’
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Health and Wellbeing Queensland is the state’s prevention agency. For more health and wellbeing news, visit hw.qld.gov.au.
