SPC Ardmona has vowed to honour the verbal agreements it made with tomato growers and pay them for supplying this season's crop, despite losing a major contract, reports abc.net.au.
Woolworths announced it was cancelling a contract with SPC for the supply of private label tinned tomatoes. Growers have already planted this year's crop, which is due to be harvested in autumn.
The loss of the contract came as a shock to tomato growers and their communities in Victoria's Goulburn Valley.
Many have spent this week frantically trying to find out if they will be paid for the crops they have already planted this season.
Grower Louis Chirnside from Kerang on Wednesday 9 Nov., said growers were informed by SPC that it would honour verbal agreements for them to supply this season's crop.
"SPC has contacted all of their growers to let them know that even though we don't have contracts with them, they will honour all assurances regarding price and quantity," Mr Chirnside said.
Members of the Shepparton community are said to be furious with Woolworths' actions.