Meet some of our growers

Oz Group Co Op is a 100% Australian farmer-owned co-operative.  Oz Group works with our members to process and distribute the finest quality berries and berry products for our consumers. 

We are passionate about providing the community with the freshest berries through sustainable and best farming practices.

History

  • 2001

    Oz Berries is formed

    After the decline of the local banana industry, members of the Coffs Coast Sikh community formulate the partnership Oz Berries, beginning with 4 grower families.

  • 2004

    Oz Berries Grows

    Oz Berries grows to over 18 growers, allowing local families to continue farming on the Coffs Coast

  • 2006

    New Woolgoolga site

    Oz Berries purchases its first purpose-built packing facility in Woolgoolga, employing over 100 staff during peak season and ensuring the sustainability of the Oz Group brand.

  • 2009

    Blueberry quantities continues to grows

    The company continues to grow, producing over 600 tonnes of blueberries per year and hiring more permanent local staff

  • 2013

    Oz Group Co-op Ltd Formed

    Oz Group Co-operative forms, allowing growers to concentrate on farming practices and allowing professionals to take over in production, accounts, marketing and distribution

  • 2015

    Driscolls

    Oz Group partners with Driscoll’s, ensuring a steady supply of berries for Australian supermarkets.

    Oz Group opens a new packhouse in Isles Drive, Coffs Harbour: allowing for greater production and more automated technologies.

  • 2016

    Raspberries and Blackberries Introduced

    Oz Group introduces raspberries and blackberries to its farming and distribution

    Oz Group opens its rural store in Woolgoolga to cater for farmer supply needs on the Coffs Coast

  • 2017

    Largest blueberry packhouse in Australia

    Oz Group becomes the biggest blueberry supplier in Australia, producing 37 million punnets of blueberries, 1.1 million punnets of raspberries, and 202 thousand punnets of blackberries in the 2017/2018 financial year

  • 2020

    Freezing Begins

    Oz Group installs a Cyro-wave machine to individually freeze Blueberries.

    Currently sold on Coles Supermarkets across Australia

  • 2020

    Coffs Packhouse Expands

    The Coffs Harbour Packhouse expands to add two more automated packing machines.

    Oz Group has seven packing machines and is always looking at improving efficiencies.

    This allows the packhouse to keep up with the continued growth in the Blueberry industry.

Freshcare Certification

Freshcare is Australia’s largest on-farm assurance program that focuses on food safety and farming sustainability.

Oz Group Co-op Grower Members are all either Freshcare Certified or going through the Freshcare (or equivalent food safety) Certification. The Freshcare Food Safety and Quality Edition 4 is a Code of Practice that all growers must comply with in order to maintain their Freshcare Certification.

The growers are audited at their farm annually during harvest season where the auditor checks against Code Elements covering areas including (but not limited to): Water, Facilities and Equipment, Fertiliser and Chemicals, as well as Traceability records.

You can learn more about this certification here: https://www.freshcare.com.au/standards/food-safety-quality/

Fair Farms Initiative

In January 2109, Oz Group Co-op growers participated in a pilot program with Growcom to learn more about fair employment practices in the horticulture industry.

 

Our Partners

Driscoll’s

In 2010, the Driscoll’s name arrived in Australia. Through partnering with Driscoll’s, Oz Group has access to top varieties of blueberry, raspberry and blackberry plants.

Driscoll’s are the marketing and distribution partners of Oz Group, located within the packhouse site in Coffs Harbour, enabling Oz Group to supply their locally grown berries Australia-wide.

Australian Blueberry Growers Association

The Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association is the representative association of blueberry growers formed in the mid 1970’s in order to consolidate and progress the Australian industry. One main goal of the association is to ensure an Australian blueberry industry that produces quality fruit and is profitable and environmentally sustainable. The market is expanding worldwide due to the recognition of the blueberry’s great flavour and health benefits.

Mountain Blue

Mountain Blue is a family owned and operated company, established in 1978. Through its partnership with Mountain Blue, Oz Group has access to the latest blueberry genetics and newly developed blueberry varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Where are your berries grown and packed?

Oz Group has a membership of over 140 growers and is 100% Australian farmer owned. These farmers are located on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The farms are spread from Grafton in the North to Macksville in the South.

The co-op also has an organic grower located in QLD.

Our blueberries are packed in our state-of-the-art packing facility in Coffs Harbour. Our raspberries and blackberries are packed on farm.

 

How is your fruit harvested?

Every berry we sell has been hand-picked from an Australian farm.

 

Do you use pesticides?

Oz Group growers use an integrated pest management method, which includes the use of both natural and synthetic means to control pests and diseases. Oz Group growers use only registered products approved by the APVMA in accordance to label and permit directives.

In addition, external and internal audits/certification, workshops and extensive testings are conducted regularly to ensure our growers are highly competent through the production process of quality berries.

All fruit provided to direct to supermarkets is Freshcare Certified.

Oz Group Co-op currently has 2 certified organic berry growers.

 

Is your fruit GMO?

No. Oz Group growers use genetics created through natural and traditional breeding processes and developed by Driscoll’s Australia and Mountain Blue Farms. 

 

Is your packaging recyclable?

Our punnets are created from PET or Polyethylene Terephthalate which is fully recyclable material.

 

How should the berries be stored after purchase?

Berries should be stored in the refrigerator in their purchase packaging to prolong shelf life

 

Do I need to wash my berries before eating?

It is recommended that you wash your berries just before their consumption.