Natures Fruit Company, trading as The Fruit Company Limited, is a grower-owned enterprise established on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in 1988. Membership now extends from the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland to fruit-growing regions in the South West of Western Australia. The company operates its own packing facility at Glass House Mountains, Queensland, in alliance with partner packhouses in three mainland states, and markets fruit through agents, merchants and directly to supermarket chains.
Origins
The organisation began in December 1987, when avocado growers in the Sunshine Coast hinterland formed the Sunshine Coast Fruit Marketing Cooperative Association Limited to address challenges in marketing their fruit. The co-operative appointed a General Manager in February 1988 and soon began operations with the objective: “To obtain for the grower the highest possible nett return on fruit marketed over the season.”
Recognising the need for product differentiation, the co-operative created a brand identity with the launch of Natures Reserve, which became widely recognised in the industry. At the same time, the business invested in packing operations to allow growers to focus on production.
Development
The co-operative grew steadily, with membership extending beyond Queensland into other states. Packing and administration facilities were first established at Palmwoods, later relocating to Windsor Road, Nambour. In 2002, to resolve administrative challenges caused by differing state co-operative regulations, the organisation was incorporated as The Fruit Company Limited (trading as Natures Fruit Company). Its constitution retained the mutual principles of the co-operative model.
In 2007, the Board acquired land at Glass House Mountains and constructed a modern packing and administration facility at Coonowrin Road, where operations continue today.
