Simon George & Sons committed to customers and the community

Community at Core

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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Simon George & Sons is committed to its customers and community and has shown ability to overcome weather challenges to serve the region. Picture: Simon George & Sons.

BUSINESS FEATURE

Simon George & Sons is well known across Far North Queensland for helping to put the highest standard produce on the tables of the finest restaurants in the region. 

But it is not just a commitment to their customers, which include some of the most nationally renowned restaurants in Australia, they make, but a commitment to the whole community. 

Simon George & Sons, through its state-of-the-art and industry leading Cairns distribution centre, is seen on the front line when the chips are down, and our region has its backs against the wall. 

Through Covid-19 impacts, Cyclone Jasper and most recently with the flooding which impacted Townsville and cut off supply routes across Far North Queensland, Simon George & Sons has stood strong. 

Sales Manager Jason Lister, a 32 year food industry veteran, says while Simon George & Sons came to Cairns to meet the growing need of restaurants and resorts for high quality and diverse produce, they also came with a commitment to community which has really been on show in recent years. 

“Simon George & Sons came to the region because a chef that the family knew went to the Sheraton Mirage and he was struggling to get good produce up here in the North and the range of produce that he would see in the cities,’’ Jason said.

Simon George & Sons staff go above and beyond to get the best produce to customers. Picture: Simon George & Sons
The Cairns operations of Simon George & Sons is working hard for those across Far North Queensland. Picture: Simon George & Sons

“So that’s always been something that we hold near and dear to us. The way that the industry has moved now, the food industry really took that next step up and you can’t just get away selling potatoes and carrots up here in the north. 

Sales Manager Pedro Goncalves, who himself has been in the industry for over 30 years, 17 of those as a Chef said “We have some of the most iconic restaurants in Australia - NuNu, Harrisons and Nautilus and they all demand a certain quality and range of product. 

“But at the same time, you can’t lose touch with your roots here in North Queensland.’’ 

Being in touch with the grassroots of the region to Simon George & Sons means a local supply network which stretches from Lakeland to Burdekin and the relationships built with growers right across those regions have helped navigate the toughest obstacles.

“Our commitment to consistent supply, even during adverse weather and road closures, is made possible by strong relationships with local farms and suppliers. For example, during the most recent flooding, we were able to offer locally grown hydroponic lettuces as a substitute for salad mixes,’’ Jason said.

“Apart from the distance that we are from major cities including central markets, the weather is the biggest challenge,’’ Jason said. 

“We supply all industries, in particular hospitality, catering, healthcare, aged care and remote community stores’’ Jason said. 

“During the flooding period following Cyclone Jasper, we helped out the IGA stores just to keep the community fed. We worked with them to try to keep food supplies into those stores.’’

Simon George & Sons Cairns General Manager Francis Wakeham say the operation and its dedicated team step up for the community in times of need. 

“After Cyclone Jasper, at the time no-one really knew what was happening. Port Douglas was pretty much cut off in every direction. 

“We could never get any solid information when anything was going to be open and when we would be able to see trucks getting through and we knew that there were still a lot of people in hotels. Not only that, but people and communities were decimated, and we also had to consider critical supply to hospitals and aged care. 

“We decided the best way to do it, to be able to take enough produce, was a trawler boat. We worked with other local companies and sourced necessities for the Mossman Hospital and community groups sending dinghies into Wonga Beach and Cooya Beach that were both completely cut off. In total, we sent over 5 tonnes.’’ 

After the trawler run, Simon George & Sons were able to truck supplies into the Douglas region but with an additional three hours and double up drivers required to manage driver fatigue. 

“We really need to be flexible and go the extra mile because everything can change in a moment,’’ Francis said. 

“The reason we can make this work is because of the people who work with us. We have got such a great team. 

During the Covid-19 restrictions, Simon George & Sons continued its scheduled runs to Douglas Shire and beyond with “nearly empty trucks” just to show the commitment to the region and to get care packages to hospitality industry staff who were doing it tough. 

“We do a lot of sponsorship for local community groups and sporting clubs. Donating apples and oranges for community fundraisers, hospital foundations and a lot of community engagement,’’ Francis said. 

“At Simon George & Sons, we don’t just show up - we step up. Because strong communities rely on people who care, and that’s what we’ve built our name on.”

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