Most folk in the Lenswood and Forest Range community would now be aware that the pack houses of Joysons, Plummers Border Valley and Hillview Fruits have combined with the Lenswood Co-operative in a packing and marketing venture.  Effectively this will double the output of the one pack house which will in turn, reduce overheads and costs and also give greater security against imports and other impacts.

All players are to be commended for the way these discussions have matured to this level and enable this initiative to proceed.  Many of our members are small by Australian standards and are excited to have a world standard facility to enhance their prospects.

We are also pleased that the $5 million plus budgeted figure is well within our realms to service.  This opportunity has been applauded widely, particularly in marketing and industry circles and we hope that it will enhance the profile of this area as a recognized rural productive region.

Carbon emissions, trading and sequestration are hot topics of our time along with global warming. The Co-op is undertaking an exercise to review the sustainability of the business and the industry in the Adelaide Hills Region. This will include improvements to current processes, including compliance, to ensure that sustainability criteria is achieved and adhered to. We believe that this may lead to exciting marketing opportunities. Watch this space!

This community has a varied mix of people and I will continue to highlight some in my newsletter. The two I have chosen for you this time are: