About Us

The Simonetta family moved to Australia in 1956 from southern Italy. Immediately moving to the Sunraysia region, they began life in Australia growing vegetables. By 1990, they were ready for a new challenge, and began thinking about what they should do.

While growing vegetables, they also had experience in Wine Grapes & Citrus, and it was the latter that became their focus.

In 1991, Joe, Tony & Mario Simonetta opened the doors to their family owned and operated Citrus Packing Shed. The beginning was very simple, but also effective – three brothers, two of their wives & with only one packing machine  – they managed to output roughly 1,000 units a week.

As time went by, Simfresh had established itself as one of Australia’s leading Citrus Packing sheds, with firm footing in both domestic and export markets. As the years have gone by, both the business and family have expanded.

With the three brothers still very hands on, established relationships with growers and customers are now being passed on the grower’s children, and in some cases, the customer’s children.

Ellen Simonetta & Carmel Simonetta are Joe & Tony’s wives & have been involved in the operation since it began & still continue working day in day out. Running the packing lines – teaching workers far younger than them about good work ethic and fruit quality.

Amanda Cini is now running the financial side of the business & is also the International Sales Manager, with Larry Simonetta looking after the farming side of the business, as well as being Domestic Sales Manager, while still being involved in the operations of the shed.

Luke Cini, Amanda's husband has been with the company for 10 years now, and has helped advance the Packing facility operations, improving processes, introducing new technologies, and managing Workers for Simfresh. Luke is a director of the AEA (Approved Employers Association), and has been very hands on with the PALM Scheme for many years – both PLS & SWP.

Tony’s son, Jonathon Simonetta is also part of it, and has a critical role as the Export Manager, including Freight & documentation.

It is exciting times at Simfresh, with the operation now expanding beyond 1.8 million boxes a year, of both locally & family grown fruit. With family farms now in NSW, QLD & South Australia, Simfresh has expanded both its Farming operations & also its Packing Operations.

Recent expansion of the packing facility and the addition of new lines & machinery have meant that output volumes & capabilities have also improved. New grading machines & bagging machines have increased productivity, reduced costs & increased product ranges – to satisfy all customer needs.