Caboolture berries star in new Tim Tam flavour released today

11 January 2021
Article - The Courier Mail (click here)
Erin Smith

A range of new iconic Aussie chocolate biscuits could help save our farmers battling drought and impacts from COVID-19, with a very distinctive local flavour added into the mix.

Allison and Stuart McGruddy at their My Berries farm in Caboolture. Their berries will be used in a new Tim Tam flavour.

Stuart’s family has been growing berries in the region for 12 years – they were the first to grow them commercially in Queensland.

His parents are now retired but his brother continues to grow raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.

The McGruddy’s launched their frozen raspberries at local farmers’ markets in 2013 – their mission was to find a way to use the berries not making it to supermarket shelves.

The business idea took off in 2016 after issues with imported raspberries – their products are now available in more than 850 stores across Australia.

They also export to Singapore and the Middle East.

Mr McGruddy said times have been tough though, especially with the drought and COVID-19.

“We were subjected to a very bad drought and this reduced water available to plants, yields and plant life. The unpredictability of mother nature is always a concern and we can only manage this the best way we can,” Mr McGruddy said.

“COVID-19 had a big impact on our business and on our local farms.

Four new Tim Tam flavours featuring Aussie produce

“It was extremely challenging to find people to help pick and process berries and crops were sacrificed.

“We welcome people to our region to help us pick our beautiful berries. On a positive note, consumers are more conscious than ever in what they are consuming and purchasing with a focus on Aussie grown and made products.”

Both said it was “so exciting” to have their berries star in the new Tim Tam biscuit.

“The greatest benefit in sourcing raspberries from the Moreton Bay for an iconic Tim Tam biscuit is job creation and this is what our community needs right now,” Mr McGruddy said.

“The more raspberry Tim Tam biscuits that are enjoyed around Australia and the world the more employment opportunities are created from farm pickers to food production to logistics, distribution, and sales.”