Howe Farming Group is a second-generation family-owned company. Tom and Yola Howe began growing tobacco and vegetables in the early 1950’s in Bilwon, located just outside of Mareeba, Queensland and the first bananas were planted in 1996.

Howe Farming Group own numerous farms strategically located across the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. The group employs over 450 staff including seasonal workers and has grown to become the largest private employer on the Tablelands.

The business is owned by Dennis and his 3 sisters – Christine, Geraldine, and Bernadette, and maintains a corporate structure.

SUPPLIES: Bananas, Avocados, and Citrus

The Abbott family has grown bananas in Far North Qld for over 30 years. Parents Rob and Jenny Abbott made the switch from conventional to Organic production 20 years ago.

Sons Matt and Ben, together with their wives Naomi and Katelyn, now operate the family business. The Abbotts pride themselves in providing high-quality and nutritious bananas and papaya, farmed with environmentally sustainable practices.

Their practices were recently recognised by winning the Queensland Farmers Federation 2022 Reef Champion Pesticide Stewardship Award.

SUPPLIES: Organic Bananas and Organic Papaya

Jade Buchanan & Luke Horsford are 3rd generation banana farmers with the next generation already involved with the daily operations. Nourish has four banana farms located around the Innisfail area.

Nourish Banana Co take great pride in being a leader in implementing environmental practices and following sustainable practices.

SUPPLIES: Bananas

Greg’s grandfather grew bananas near Tully as early as 1938. The passion for banana growing has been passed down through the generations, to Greg’s father, to Greg and now fourth generation Ryan. Greg started growing his first bananas at age 20 at Davidson Road near Tully before buying his father’s farm at Tea Plantation.

After Cyclone Yasi in 2011, Greg and Sandra took the brave step of leaving the district where they had raised their family and purchased a farm in Mareeba. With their youngest son, Ryan joining the business, the family has now consolidated its operations to Mareeba where they farm three farms.

SUPPLIES: Bananas

Growing up in Murwillumbah, Kerry Alcock purchased his first three-acre banana farm from his grandfather when he was just 14 years old. Kerry went on to buy another three farms in Northern New South Wales and at one stage was one of the most significant Lady Finger banana growers in the country.

In 1979, Kerry along with his wife Margaret, and three young boys, made the decision to move to Far North Queensland. Initially struggling to find suitable land for banana farming, they eventually secured a leased block of land near Innisfail. Many years later, Kerry and Margaret, along with two of their four children, Danny and Tony, manage four banana farms around the Innisfail region.

SUPPLIES: Bananas

Established in 2007, Leadwood Farming is a fourth generation family-owned and operated farm with a hands-on approach. Located in Far North QLD approximately 90 km South West of Cairns, the family produces and packs premium avocados, limes and macadamias in Mutchilba and Dimbulah.

With favourable climates, cold winter nights and hot days, the Tropics provide the perfect growing conditions. A passion for working on and with the land drives the family to produce quality crops for people to enjoy.

SUPPLIES: Shepard Avocados

David and Kate Rolfe and their youngest son Cooper are the third and fourth generation on their multiple crop (Bananas, Papaya and cattle) farm at Mena Creek in North Queensland. David and Kate thoroughly enjoy the farming lifestyle and Cooper is eager to continue farming well into the future.

SUPPLIES: Bananas and Papaya

In 1965 John Horsford started growing bananas on a small 6-acre block in beautiful Mena Creek Innisfail. John’s son Lance and grandsons Michael and Kris have continued the family passion of growing premium quality bananas on that same farm, but now also grow bananas on an additional two farms.

Their long-standing ambition is to create a high-quality, sustainable farming operation so that the next generation of Michael and Kris’ children can continue to have the same opportunities to enjoy that same farming lifestyle.

SUPPLIES: Bananas

The Buchanan family started farming in the Palmerston Valley in the 1950s with 30 acres of Cavendish bananas. Today, 3 generations later, Craig Buchanan operates LMB Farming Pty Ltd with his business partners and has increased the growing area in the Innisfail region to 1400 acres.

With over 100 valued employees at the forefront of the operations, LMB Farming pride their success on their loyal staff, commitment to innovation and efficiency, as well as sustainable environmental practices.

SUPPLIES: Bananas

Michael Coulson manages and operates Coolio Farms in Walkamin North QLD, growing Avocados, Lady Fingers and Custard Apples. Coolio Farms maintains Freshcare, Harps, Great Barrier Reef and Eco Certification to help guarantee the quality of his produce for our customers and to continually support ongoing ecological sustainability for future generations

SUPPLIES: Shepard and Hass Avocados

Situated on the Southern part of the Atherton Tablelands 600m above sea level, Laurelgold’s avocado farm at Mount Garnet produces some of the earliest fruit of the season due to its location and climate.

Having grown premium bananas in Innisfail since 1983, Rohan Collins and his family established the avocado farm at Mount Garnet in 2019. Rohan and the team at Laurelgold continue their passion for premium fresh produce and take pride in providing consumers with fresh new-season avocados at the beginning of the year.

SUPPLIES: Shepard and Hass Avocados