Australia’s first locally grown frozen berries range Matilda’s Australian Frozen Strawberries has hit the shelves of independent gourmet grocers as well as IGA and Foodworks supermarkets in Victoria.
Victoria-based Matilda’s Frozen Fruit is the first 100 per cent locally grown frozen berries range. Matilda’s was launched by third generation strawberry farmers, Matt and Ruth Gallace, earlier this year following a Hepatitis A outbreak where 24 people contracted the disease, understood to have been due to consuming contaminated imported frozen berries products.
The release of Matilda’s Australian frozen strawberries comes eight months after Matilda’s built its state of the art processing facility in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, where the berries are handpicked, washed, and snap frozen. Matilda’s co-founders are using berries from Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, which has been in the Gallace family for 50 years, and has 800 acres of land in Victoria and Queensland and will source raspberries and blueberries from NSW.
From this month, Matilda’s will be stocked at Leo’s Fine Food and Wine stores, LaManna, and IGA and Foodworks supermarkets in Victoria. Matilda’s plans expand to NSW, Queensland and South Australia in coming weeks, and told C&I Week it would consider convenience channels in the future.
Co-founder, Ruth Gallace, said the fact Matilda’s has built the factory from the ground up, and the packing site is exclusively for fruit, means there’s no risk of cross contamination.
“In many cases nuts are processed on the same site used to process other foods, which causes great concern for parents who have children with allergies,” Gallace said.
Gallace said the origin of each product is completely transparent too and is labelled on each and every bag, so consumers know which region the berries came from.
“We’re really proud to be able to provide a product which really challenges the current food labeling system. There needs to be far more transparency as to food origin, how it’s processed and packaged.”
She said it’s now up to the consumer to show they want a wholly Australian product and to ask for it at their local retailer.
“Demand will now be driven by the consumer, and the people really do hold the power, if you ask for the product, your retailer will order it in.”
I live in Bairnsdale Victoria 3875
I wish to purchase Matilda’s frozen berries could you please advise from which retail outlet may acquire these from in East Gippsland
Thank you Peter
Are you going to have an organic range of frozen berries
We saw Matilda’s story on Landline last Sunday. We were delighted to find your
frozen berries in IGA Moss Vale. We purchased a packet and we will continue to do
so to support you. We will also “spread the word” and encourage family and friends to
buy an superior and safe Australian product. Good luck. We hope you continue to
grow and succeed.
hi, saw your article on tv, am a cook, they look good. good luck. can u get them at aldi ? thank u
Dear people at Matilda , finally found a company that uses frozen Australian fruits. Going to Coles tomorrow and am stocking up. Very interested in the mango. I use Calipso mangoes to make cheese cakes & am interested in knowing what type of mango you freeze & sell.yours truly Margaret Sullivan -More