While large chain supermarkets grapple with empty shelves and delivery delays, local producers across the Southern Highlands and Tablelands are brimming with fresh produce.
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Highland Meats Mittagong manager Pete Lenehan said there was plenty of stock for smaller independent businesses.
"It's the big companies that can't get deliveries," he said.
"People need to know that we have stock and get deliveries every night."
While the demand for meat hasn't increased prices, it has increased Highland Meats customer base.
"There has been an increase in customers," he said.
"A lot of new faces who can't get what they want from the supermarket.
"We just want the community to know we have stock."
Unaffected by the supply delays, Yasemin and Chris from Robertson Fruit Shop are doing their bit to support the community.
The small family run business has reintroduced custom and pre-made fruit and vegetable boxes for residents who are in isolation or not keen on leaving their homes.
Yasemin said customers could call the store, place their order and pay over the phone for contactless car boot delivery.
"We're looking after the community and doing our best to help out," she said.
"We saw there wasn't much at the supermarket, and we're just trying to help out, especially for the older community who might not want to come out."
While their shop is full of produce, Yasemin said several producers weren't at the markets where they source their fresh fruit and vegetables.
"Last week, there were a lot of people missing at Flemington Markets because they were sick, so there weren't too many options, but there were still supplies," she said.
"There weren't 20 people selling tomatoes, so there was a bit more demand which made the prices go a bit higher, but we were able to still get nearly everything.
"Having a lot of people, and forklift drivers missing from the markets made the service a little slower but we all understand why.
"We're all looking out for each other. We did okay considering."
Despite the supermarket fresh produce shortage, Yasemin said it was business as usual for the store.
"It's a touristy time of the year, so a lot of people are on holidays," she said.
"We've been busy, but we are generally a busy small store.
"It doesn't feel like anyone was hoarding or getting more than they usually would. It just seems like there's a lot of people after fresh fruit and vegetables."
Goulburn's Greengrocer Cycling and Cafe owner Con Toparis said he had noticed a slight impact when it came to fresh fruit and vegetables.
"We use a lot of suppliers, a lot of eggs in different baskets, so we're doing fine," he said.
"The cost of goods has gone up, that's part of the concern because ultimately we will have to put our prices up which is challenging for the customers.
"We still sell a lot, but the big supermarket chains is where everyone goes."
However, Con noted that while the greengrocer and cafe side of his business was only slightly impacted, the cycling side was a different story - with his business directly affected by delayed deliveries.
"We are heavily affected because that's a big part of our business," he said.
"We can't buy bicycle stock. There hasn't been bike stock since 2020.
"It's getting worse, not better. COVID affected the production line in 2020, and it slowed down and caused a backlog.
"Now it's the shipping. It's not making it to our shores, and it's not making it to our stores.
"It makes it harder to trade every day, especially when you have a consumer looking for a product you can't supply.
Mr Toparis said COVID posed a challenge for his business.
"We have staff and bills, and it makes it harder," he said.
"We don't have product for the cycling side and on the cafe side, we are fairly busy, but we have an increase in the price of goods, we have a shortage of staff. The whole thing is just a challenge.
"It's a tough time for businesses."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
