A fresh start for fresh produce: Looking at the year ahead

At the end of last year, I found myself curious about why we humans see a new year as a fresh start. What is it about flipping a calendar page that inspires a renewed sense of purpose and possibility? A quick google search revealed some fascinating insights.  

One explanation suggests that humans are creatures of routine and habit. Our daily grind often masks the value of each new day, and a new year becomes a symbolic reminder of hope, opportunity, and positive change. Another perspective comes from the “fresh start effect”, identified by researcher Hengchen Dai. This concept highlights our ability to separate past outcomes from future aspirations, with the effect being most potent around the new year.  

It’s as though the calendar itself gives us permission to hit the reset button, enabling us to try something new, stop old habits, or refocus on meaningful goals.  

This sense of renewal is something we at QFVG embrace wholeheartedly. While continual improvement is part of our DNA, January represents a unique opportunity to open a fresh chapter—something our industry sorely needs. The challenges of recent years have weighed heavily on horticulture, creating feelings ranging from frustration to outright despair.  

As we step into 2025, QFVG is doing so with passion, purpose, and pride. Our strong and vocal advocacy for growers remains steadfast, but this year, we’re taking a fresh, positive approach.  

We’re turning the spotlight on the incredible innovations Queensland horticultural growers are driving and sharing the success stories that showcase resilience and ingenuity. From groundbreaking practices to sustainable solutions, we’ll celebrate the progress being made across our industry.  

Horticulture at its best is an incredible industry; it is also an industry which needs to find a different way to tell its incredible story.    

2025 promises to be a big year, filled with positivity, progress, and endless possibilities.