No more tears over garlic wastage thanks to a creative on-farm value-adding initiative

In terms of worldwide garlic production, China is far and away the dominant player, producing 25 million tonnes per annum, which accounts for almost 80% of the world's output. India comes in a distant second with an output of 1.25 million tonnes, trailed by South Korea, Egypt and Spain. In the grand scheme of garlic growing, Australia's production barely rates a blip on the radar. What Australian garlic growing lacks in volume, however, it more than makes up for in taste, freshness and quality.

Australia's production barely rates a blip on the radar. What Australian garlic growing lacks in volume, however, it more than makes up for in taste, freshness and quality.

Many overseas growers use chemical inputs that have been banned in Australia for years and rely on chlorine bleaching to improve shelf life and appearance. Australian growers are committed to chemical and additive-free best-practice methods that ensure the health of Australian consumers and the environment. But, as any farmer knows, following the best-practice path is not always the easiest.

Best practice is a journey with new challenges arising as old ones are overcome. A major challenge for Moonrocks was the ever-growing piles of second-grade garlic that didn't meet the high specifications of supermarkets and chain stores. This was an ongoing frustration, as just one slightly misshapen or blemished clove would mean the entire bulb would end up as waste. As David laments, 'It costs the same to grow market-acceptable garlic as it does second-grade garlic, so the financial loss and wastage was considerable.'

A major challenge for Moonrocks was the ever-growing piles of second-grade garlic that didn't meet the high specifications of supermarkets and chain stores.

David and Andrew explored different ways of utilising their odd-shaped and blemished bulbs, experimenting with products like heath pills, minced garlic and garlic salt. The Moons quickly discovered, however, that there were plenty of other established products already filling those categories. What Moonrocks needed was an entirely unique product line it could call its own, which would best capture the freshness, flavour and quality of its garlic. After much research, the team decided to explore the possibilities of dehydrated garlic.

G'Day Garlic Chunky Garlic Powder. Credit: Hannah Puechmarin

So far, the response from consumers has been incredibly positive, with lots of return orders. As David says, 'It helps when you have a fantastic product line that's different from everything else on the shelves.' G'day Garlic's pure line comes in both fine and chunky options and offers great value for money. One 120-gram jar of pure dried garlic contains the equivalent of a kilo of fresh garlic. It's super convenient, too, as it reconstitutes when it hits the pan, doing away with the need to keep fresh garlic in the pantry. It also stores happily in the fridge for years, and best of all, eliminates chopping-board tears and kitchen waste. And for those wishing to spice up their dishes, the company has developed a Signature Seasoning in both hot and medium options.

'Our customers love it,' says David, 'and word is spreading.' The Moons have already received requests from large sellers; however, producing at a scale that would meet the demand of supermarkets would require a significant investment in plant and people. Although the Moons are confident in their product, they've learned from experience that committing to big volume equates to big risk. Moonrocks is just 20 kilometres from St George, which means orders can be dispatched on the same day, allowing them to build their customer base steadily while giving their customers a sense of direct connection to the land on which their garlic is grown. 'E-commerce allows direct connections with consumers,' explains Emily. 'People are interested in the stories behind the product and buying online means consumers can almost enjoy an on-farm experience - meeting the farmers and seeing the soil in which their product is growing.'

'People are interested in the stories behind the product and buying online means consumers can almost enjoy an on-farm experience.'

The Moon's G'day Garlic journey has had a positive impact on Moonrock's workforce, too, empowering the younger generation of employees who have taken ownership of the brand. 'G'day Garlic has unlocked the creativity of our younger staff,' says David. 'It also gives them a legitimate excuse to dabble in their social media while at work.' G'day Garlic has also helped elevate the burgeoning food scene in St George, which is fast becoming a foodie destination for hungry travellers. Most importantly, the journey has helped Moonrocks move closer towards their zero-waste goal.