AU: Lettuce operations keeps expanding at Tripod Farmers

Australian lettuce grower Frankie Ruffo has big plans for when he one day takes over the family business. The young production manager at Tripod Farmers recently returned from an intensive training program in New Zealand, where he joined 24 other budding produce leaders from across the world, and now is looking forward to improve the operations at their sites.

Since it was founded in 1989, Tripod Farmers has expanded from a small family business of 6ha to a large enterprise of 809ha across Bacchus Marsh, Gippsland and Mildura. Frankie's parents, third generation farmers Frank and Angela Ruffo, and aunt and uncle Carmel and Joe Ruffo run the Bacchus Marsh farm.

Frankie with the wasabi lettuce (picture by weeklytimesnow.com.au)

About 40 per cent of the produce is sent to Melbourne Wholesale Market, 30 per cent to supermarkets, 20 per cent to interstate markets and 10 per cent is exported.

The business employs more than 350 people to grow about 30 varieties of lettuce, from classic cos to in-vogue varieties such a baby kale and watercress.

The company also has an exclusive contract to grow wasabi lettuce, a spicy leaf, and is the only farm in Australia to grow it.

Source: weeklyimesnow.com.au