Harvest Food Trail Takes a Fresh Look at Lismore
Published on 21 April 2023
Picture: Farmer Kerry Wilson and Cheesemaker Paul Wilson from Nimbin Valley Dairy are excited to share their unique story and passion for farming and cheesemaking for the Northern Rivers Harvest Food Trail in May.
For the first time, Lismore City Council is co-sponsoring the popular Northern Rivers Harvest Food Trail, creating the opportunity for a record number of Lismore’s food producers to be involved.
The Trail, on the weekend of 6 and 7 May, is an annual event which showcases unique local food and beverage producers and has become a major tourism drawcard for the entire region.
Northern Rivers Food Trail Coordinator Lorissa Barrett said the Harvest Food Trail provides a much-needed opportunity to promote the amazing farmers, produce and food establishments after they were hit by COVID-19 followed by the February 2022 natural disaster.
"Businesses in the food trail all offer something outside the usual, such as farm tours, 'pick your own' experiences, sampling, demonstrations, sit-down meals with producer talks, behind-the-scenes tours, or festive experiences such as live entertainment on a farm," she said.
Lismore City Council’s Manager Destination and Economy, Tina Irish, said a big part of enjoying food is knowing the story behind it.
“The Food Trail is a great opportunity for people to connect with those stories. For example, we have a dairy in Nimbin working with a local brewery in Lismore. The dairy cows eat the grain used to make the beer, then the milk is used to make the cheese. It's a great example of producers working together to achieve their regeneration goals," she said.
This year, the line-up of food experiences across Lismore, Nimbin and local villages is diverse. Participants range from a dairy and cheesemaking farm in the Nimbin Valley to an organic microgreens and sugarcane farm in South Gundurimba.
Local participants include:
- Nimbin Valley Dairy - a tasting, cheese talk and farm tour
- Nimbin Bush Theatre – lunch, producer talk and local musician
- Dhezi Deli, Bexhill – selection of tastings from around the world
- Stockpot Kitchen BBQ Smokehouse, Lismore – feast event with local beverages and music
- Five Sixty Farm, South Gundurimba – a look at an organic micro farm, long lunch and producer insights
- Clift Sugarcane Farm, South Gundurimbah – meet the farmers, farm tour and industry talk
"The Harvest Food Trail provides visitors and locals with an opportunity to visit some of the best farms, distilleries, breweries, and food outlets in the Northern Rivers. It extends from Tweed in the north to Grafton in the south," Ms. Barrett added.
For further information on the Harvest Food Trail, visit www.northernriversfood.org/harvest-food-trail.