As the cost of living climbs and resources seemingly slow, Australian Made Week (6-12 June) marks an opportunity to support local businesses who are feeling the pinch in a difficult era. 

This week, shoppers and businesses are urged to seek out the green-and-gold kangaroo logo marking an Australian made product, to support the country’s makers and growers and safeguard against access and supply issues illuminated by the pandemic. 

Australian Made Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro, said Australian Made Week was a great time to draw attention to the benefits of buying local. 

“The pandemic has really opened many people’s eyes to the importance of locally made products and how we can all play our part, including businesses, by prioritising Aussie products to help strengthen the economy,” Mr Lazzaro said. 

For the rural population, it didn’t take a pandemic to learn this message; when local economies slowed amid the drought, a surge of thoughtful city citizens were able to reinvigorate local businesses by campaigns like ‘Buy From The Bush’.

‘Fill Your Esky’ filled a similar need for bushfire affected towns.

With the drought over but the series of woes continuing for small businesses around Australia, Australian Made Week serves as a reminder to continue to support local. 

According to KPMG’s 2021 Family Business Survey, 67 per cent of all businesses in Australia are family-owned and operated, with more than half of the nation’s workforce employed by a family business. 

“When you buy Australian Made, you have a direct economic impact on the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Australians throughout the supply chain,” Mr Lazzaro said. 

The timing of the national campaign comes as lettuce prices make national headlines, selling for upwards of $10 as an aftershock of Queensland and Northern NSW flooding. Not much comes cheap to consumers or producers.  

The price isn’t looking likely to come down any time soon. 

Gas and electricity prices, supply chain delays and staff shortages are also feeding what has become a difficult time for businesses attempting to recover from the pandemic. 

“The pandemic has really opened many people’s eyes to the importance of locally made products and how we can all play our part, including businesses, by prioritising Aussie products to help strengthen the economy,” Mr Lazzaro said. 

The Australian Made, Australian Grown logo is limited to products meeting a refined criteria, including being Australian made, grown, or a product of Australia. 

If you're out and about at events in the Western Plains region, don't forget the local makers and growers right here in our own backyard. Authentic local goods might not have the green and gold kangaroo label but you can speak to the person who made them right there at the market stall or local shop - that's what it's all about!

To find and support businesses offering genuine Australian products click here.