CELEBRITY chef and food producer Maggie Beer has taken a swipe at major supermarkets for pushing food prices lower and failing to support Australian growers.

In a speech last week, Ms Beer, whose pate, quince paste and ice creams sell through Coles and Woolworths, lamented ''so many Australians seek the cheapest alternative in food, and perhaps this is exacerbated by the big two [retailers], our duopoly, that pits one against the other in price wars, that see the farmer suffer. We have to do something about that.''

Strong supporter ... Maggie Beer.

Speaking after the International Year of Co-operatives conference in Port Macquarie, Ms Beer backed entrepeneur Dick Smith, who launched his own range 12 years ago to support Australian farmers against rising food imports.

Sales of Dick Smith Foods had dropped from $80 million in year one, to about $8 million.