South West produce supplier axes delivery service for Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Cowaramup

A business supplying fresh produce in the South West has decided to stop its delivery service in some parts of the region, citing cost-of-living pressures and changing spending habits. Down South Farm Fresh owner Suzette Vinci confirmed they would to stop deliveries to Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Cowaramup from February 20. She made the difficult call after she noticed the change in her clients’ buying habits. “I guess part of that is there is more financial stress now — it is interesting how people drop fresh produce first as part of their efforts to cut down on spending,” Ms Vinci said. Ms Vinci launched Down South Farm Fresh in 2020 when the pandemic saw an increase in demand for home-delivered fresh produce. Ms Vinci believes the problem she faces is an issue that other small business owners are also struggling with. “Customers are happier to walk through a big store as opposed to supporting a smaller store,” she said. “We need people in the community to support smaller growers and businesses.” Coming from a farming family in Kirup, Ms Vinci started selling fresh produce at the age of 17. “I used to sell cherries on the side of the road when we were 17, later my sister and brother-in-law put in an orchard around 10 years later,” she recalled. “They grew white nectarines and I would get their fruit and do a little delivery run through the centre of town. “I had worked at other stores as well but no matter what I was doing, I was always selling fruits.” Now, she has decided to take a step back and focus only on deliveries within Bunbury. Ms Vinci promised customers further afield that she would not be gone forever. “I have not said I will forever switch out, I am just pulling back for a little while and see what is the best way for me to move forward,” Ms Vinci said.