THE saying ‘thank a farmer for a meal’ rang true as producers, winemakers and chefs were praised at the Scenic Rim Eat Local Week launch.
Diverse local ingredients were showcased at the event in Brisbane on May 1 in preparation for a week-long celebration of what the region has to offer.
In its 8th year, Eat Local Week will feature more than 90 events across the region, from farm tours to gourmet dinners and the signature event, the Winter Harvest Festival.
It will be held from June 30 to July 8 with more than 35 free events or costs less than $25.
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Scenic Rim mayor Greg Christensen said Eat Local Week had grown into one of the state’s most authentic food and wine festivals.
“Scenic Rim Eat Local Week started as a way to connect consumers with the people who grow their food and that principle remains at the heart of the event today,” he said.
“Visitors to Eat Local Week are often surprised by just how much of their food and drinks originate from this region, just one hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.”
Cr Christensen said there was something to suit food lovers of all ages and budgets from visiting dairy farms, taking a sheep’s cheesemaking class to sipping on award-winning wines.
ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney congratulated authors Christine Sharp and Brenda Fawdon and the Scenic Rim Regional Council for releasing the Eat Local Week Volume 2 cookbook at the launch.
She said the second edition would bring producers and consumers together.
“This book will have a lasting impact..whether it’s bought by a proud local or a visitor to say where they went or if it is given as a gift,” she said.
“...it will be on shelves with other recipe books and will be picked up time and time again.
“(Eat Local Volume 2) is a subtle way to tell people who no longer have connection with the land to say this is what we do.”
Ms Sharp and Ms Fawdon spoke at the launch about the cookbook and wanted guests to appreciate the region’s producers, growers and manufacturers.
“Our goal has always been to shine a light on our farmers,” Ms Sharp said.
Ms Sharp said it was a privilege to meet another 26 farmers who grew the food that ended up on their plates the council selected for the book.
“And what a difference it makes to our appreciation of that food, knowing something of the care and toil involved in the process – from seed to plant to harvest to market,” she said.
“After the farm visits Brenda set out to create recipes that would make the ingredients sing.
Ms Sharp encouraged people to thank a farmer for their meal.
Jocelyn Garcia
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
Jocelyn is a journalist at the Redland City Bulletin, covering education issues and school stories. She was a former journalist at Beaudesert Times, reporting about crime, schools and agriculture.
