The Soda Shed Story: How Mitchell East is turning Food Waste into a sparkling success

Passionfruit farmer Mitchell East is flipping the script on food waste, giving unsellable fruit a second chance. 

Mitchell returned to his family farm in Manjimup WA on a mission to find a tasty use for surplus, speedily perishable fruit like passionfruit and cherries.

The horticulture industry is always looking for new ways of squeezing value from seconds produce, with many tonnes of fruit and vegetables that can't be sold or stored going to waste every day.

And there's no shortage of produce in the Southern Forests food hub around Manjimup, which punches well above its weight to grow a massive volume and variety of fresh produce for domestic and international markets.

Liv sat down with this fruit-farmer-turned-manufacturer to hear how Mitchell is utilising otherwise wasted fruit to not only boost profit margins but to re-connect consumers with the growers of their food.

Chapters
00:00 Mitchell's Farming Journey and Background
02:48 The Unique Food Hub of Manjimup
05:37 Value Adding Passion Fruit: Challenges and Opportunities
08:57 Creating Products from Waste: A Sustainable Approach
11:45 Collaboration With Other Growers
14:33 Innovative Products and Market Adaptation
17:46 The Story Behind Yuzu and Other Unique Produce

Learn more about Willarra Gold and how Mitchell and Jen are collaborating with other local fruit growers to get more from the delicious produce they grow.

You can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here.
 
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