14 local producers who need you to visit

As southern Queensland’s food producers battles back from drought and bushfire, they’re counting on locals to hit the trail and show them support.

“WE NEED your support” – that is the message from Queensland’s struggling farming and rural communities.

While recent rainfalls brought us images of farmers rejoicing in previously drought-devastated paddocks — with long-dry dams now full and previously trickling rivers running freely — it is far from the enduring salvation our producers and regional hospitality businesses need to get them back on their feet.

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“This is a long-term recovery,” says Kay Tommerup of Tommerup’s Dairy Farm in Kerry, in the Scenic Rim, which produces ethical and sustainable dairy products, veal, pork and lamb.

“You don’t just all of a sudden make grass into money.

“It’s going to take 18 months to two years to get back to where we were financially.”

While her property is currently lush and verdant — having received more rain already this year than in all of 2019 — she says her family’s business, and many others in the Scenic Rim, faces a significant rebuilding phase after almost three years of minimal rainfall, compounded with devastating bushfires which whipped through the nearby region last September.

“We sold quite a few of our milking cows so we could keep going so to replenish our herds takes time,” she says.

“And we don’t know if this is going to be the rain for the year or if it’s going to be a good year.

“Our whole town (of Canungra) has suffered and our community has suffered.”

Towri Sheep Cheese’s Carolyn Davidson and daughter Dallas with Tony the lamb, a favourite among the tourists. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Tommerup says accommodation outlets in the region, including her farmstay, have been struggling with visitors cancelling their bookings in the wake of the bushfires and droughts, while local cafes and restaurants, which support local farmers by using their ingredients, have also had a significant downturn in trade.

“Because of the bushfires everyone just stopped staying in our region and all the tourism businesses are experiencing the worst (vacancy) rates in years,” she says, with some reporting drops of over half.

“I haven’t heard anyone who isn’t having the worst year ever.”

And it’s for this reason why it’s never been more important to support local.

“We need people to come from outside and support our economy,” Tommerup says.

“The area is looking magnificent at the moment – probably the best I’ve seen it – so just come out and go into the town, fill up at the petrol station, support those cafes and restaurants that are supporting the local producers, and stay the night.”

She also recommends connecting over phone or email with local farmers to see if their farmgates will be open or visiting local shops and stocking up on fruit, veg, meat and dairy from the area to take back home.

“We don’t want to be reliant on people making donations, we just want to be paid a fair price all year round so we can sustain ourselves,” she says.

But the problem is not isolated to the Scenic Rim.

Also doing it immensely tough are the farmers, producers and tourism businesses of Stanthorpe, which have been devastated by prolonged drought and threatening bushfires.

Kay and Dave Tommerup on Tommerup's Dairy Farm which finally has some rain. Picture: Steve Pohlner/AAP

In January, the town’s water officially ran out, with supplies needing to be trucked in.

While much-needed rain has since filled their dams and transformed the region into a sea of green fields, the financial impact on those communities is proving long-lasting.

“After the bushfires we definitely saw the business just disappear. Everyone noticed that there wasn’t the passers-by (visitors),” says strawberry grower Vicki Ross from Stanthorpe Ashbern Farms.

“It picked up over the school holidays and we had some lovely visitors, but since then it’s decreased again.”

Ashbern Farms offers a “pick your own” experience for visitors who can then enjoy their strawberry haul as a picnic in their paddock – now lush from rain – or try strawberry products at their onsite cafe.

“We love sharing the farm with people,” says Ross.

“It doesn’t matter if they’re three or 83, they all come out with a big smile on their faces.”

But Ross says the community, which is this week celebrating its famous Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, needs a strong tourism boost.

“We need visitors to come and spend their money and keep the place alive,” she says.

“Come out and stay with one of the accommodation providers in town and then eat your breakfast or dinner with them because that’s something accommodation providers are missing. And ask in businesses – whether it’s the wineries or with us – go in anywhere and ask where would they recommend you try because you might find something completely different.”

An omelette at Canungra Hub Cafe & Deli

WHERE TO SUPPORT LOCAL

Greenlee Farms

Ph: 5543 4021 or [e-mail]

This family-operated farm in the Scenic Rim produces beautiful macadamias, which are sold raw, dry roasted, salted, honey-coated and in brittle, alongside natural macadamia honey.

Find them at local retail shops in the Canungra and Scenic Rim area, as well as wineries, or email or call them to make a purchase.

Rathlogan Grove

4 Upper Logan Rd, Rathdowney

Ph: 0403 163 151, rathlogangrove.com.au

This olive grower produces a range of olive oils from cold-pressed to extra virgin infused with herbs and spices, alongside table olives, honey, balsamic vinegar and dukkah. The culinary goodies can be bought from their onsite eatery Shed Cafe, which is open on weekends and public holidays from 8am-4pm.

Towri Sheep Cheese

206 Saville Rd, Allenview

Ph: 5543 1260, towrisheepcheeses.com.au

Forced to sell some of their milking sheep genetics to stay afloat during the drought, this artisan boutique sheep dairy and cheese room near Beaudesert is in need of support. The work of passionate foodie Carolyn Davidson, the business not only produces award-winning, handcrafted sheep milk cheeses, but also runs farm tours, tastings and cheese making workshops.

Tommerup’s Dairy Farm

2142 Kerry Rd, Kerry

Ph: 5544 9269, tommerupsfarmstay.com.au

This fabulous family-run farm and homestay produces restaurant-quality dairy, such as buttermilk and cultured butter, and meat, including heritage breed pork, milk-fed veal and lamb. Their onsite larder is the perfect place to stock up on everything from smallgoods to ice cream. Just be sure to make an appointment first.

Blackbirds Country Pies and Sweets

2/47 Christie St, Canungra

Ph: 0419 732 110

Renowned for their wood-fired meat pies and flaky apple turnovers made with local ingredients, this country bakery is all about traditional flavours and old-school hospitality.

Flesser’s Bakery

14 Christie St, Canungra

Ph: 5543 5382

Adored for their range of breads, pies and cakes, which are also stocked in hampers for nearby businesses including Greenlee Cottages, this bakery produces everything on site, fresh daily.

Olive oils at Rathlogan Grove

Canungra Hub Cafe & Deli

32 Christie St, Canungra

Ph: 0422 894 174

In an old timber cottage, this gorgeous eatery with its hedge-lined deck and vine-wrapped courtyard provides a tranquil oasis for a relaxed breakfast, brunch or lunch all using locally sourced ingredients. Of a morning expect classics like pancakes and ice cream, omelettes and eggs benedict, while come midday a variety of generously portioned burgers, salads, sandwiches and more come into play.

The Outpost Cafe

44 Christie St, Canungra

Ph: 5543 5283, theoutpostcafe.com.au

An icon of the Gold Coast Hinterland, this cafe claims to have the best pies in Australia using locally produced beef. Head in for one of the bestsellers, such as steak, bacon and cheese or the steak, bacon and Guinness, as well as traditional cafe fare, including lambs fry and bacon or savoury mince on toast at breakfast, or a wagyu burger, mixed grill and chicken parmi at lunch.

Ashbern Farms

2 West Rd, Stanthorpe

ashbernfarms.com.au

Enjoy a day out picking your own strawberries, before having lunch at the onsite cafe serving up a feast of berry dishes from parfait and ice cream to waffles and scones.

Sutton’s Farm

10 Halloran Dr, Thulimbah

Ph: 4685 2464, suttonsfarm.com.au

Only using ingredients grown in the onsite orchard or the Granite Belt region for their cafe, this eatery-cum-juice factory and cidery is all about supporting local. Sit down to a meal including the likes of savoury and sweet scones, pasties, pies, sandwiches or their famous apple pie; before browsing the shelves for handmade products such as mulberry liqueur, plum jam, cumquat marmalade and apple brandy.

Sam’s Farm Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

44 Middleton Rd, Cottonvale

Ph: 4685 2156

Specialising in locally grown fruit and vegies from around the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt region, this greengrocer can always be relied on for some of the freshest and best produce.

Holly’s Cafe

35 Maryland St, Stanthorpe

Ph: 4681 4893

There’s no hipster-cool fit-out, but the fare at this Asian-leaning cafe is hearty and well-made using plenty of local ingredients. The sushi is a popular choice, while burgers and chicken and chips are favourites.

Essen

2 McGregor Tce, Stanthorpe

Ph: 4681 4254, essenstanthorpe.com.au

This Austrian/German-influenced restaurant supports the region’s best growers and artisans by incorporating the freshest local ingredients and products into their tight, share-style menu. Dishes may include kasnudeln – a pasta filled with the curd cheese quark; pork schnitzel; heirloom tomato salad or apple strudel for dessert.

Anna’s

Cnr O’Mara Tce and Wallangarra Rd, Stanthorpe

Ph: 4681 1265, annas.com.au

An icon of Stanthorpe, this old-school Italian restaurant is best loved for its buffets on Friday and Saturday nights. Expect a broad offering moving from spinach and ricotta cannelloni to antipasto platters, salads and risotto. A huge selection of sweets includes tiramisu, cannoli, apple torta and more. It also offers BYO wine.