As COVID-19 lockdowns wreak havoc on the restaurant, cafe and tourism trades, small Tasmanian producers are having to find other food markets to sell their specialty products.
For COVID-19 lockdowns Red Cow Organics, Oldina, Tas, dairy farmer Andy Jackman, the solution was making contact with a major retailer, and selling their product interstate.
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Mrs Jackman said their organic artisan cheeses, which are made on farm in North West Tasmania, are bound for sale in Woolworths "specialty stores".
Their range includes brie, feta, Swiss gruyere and Tilsit, which are all made locally in Tasmania.
It's a slow time of year normally, and then it picks up again in September but I'm expecting it not to because of lockdowns.
- Red Cow Organics farmer Andy Jackman
"We are just starting our Woolworths contract for distribution in Tasmania next month (September)," Mrs Jackman said.
"In January next year we are launching into Victoria and New South Wales, into their specialty stores on the eastern seaboard.
"It is our first major retail ... we have had to find other opportunities and that is why we have gone to the major retail."
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The Jackmans' herd is made up of Aussie Red cows, which have been in the family for more than a decade.
They are bred for Australian conditions on a farm operating under sustainable farming practices.
Mrs Jackman said the brand already sold into independent supermarkets such as Hill Street, in Hobart, and also had contact at several five star restaurants, and high-end cafes.
But she added that these sales were being impacted by border closures.
"Our Tasmanian sales have been impacted, mostly our restaurants," she said.
"It's a slow time of year normally, and then it picks up again in September.
"But I'm expecting it not to pick up again because of lockdowns and border restrictions.
"Up to 40 per cent of tourists come from Victoria and not allowing those guys to visit is certainly affecting our retail sales."
But Mrs Jackman said that despite a small drop in sales they continued to remain present in the business.
"We are setting up an agri-tourism aspect of the business later on in the year, and obviously have our farm gate sales shop."
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