A busload carrying 100 eager shoppers have had a significant economic impact on the Lockyer Valley region
When people can put the money in the hand of the producer without the middleman, it means so much for both: Mini Muster organiser.
Gatton
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Cashed-up foodies armed with eskies on a mini bus have spent in excess of $25,000 directly into local businesses and farms during an eight hour tour of the Lockyer Valley.
But it’s not the usual tour group you’d expect.
Shoppers put the money direct into the grower or producer’s hand when visiting four key locations as well as having access to a special pop-up stall at the Grantham Butter Factory.
The initiative stems from Kristin Bonner, who founded the Merry Muster, and after the Lockyer Valley council reached out, a mini muster was born.
Ms Bonner, who one year went with a group of friends and spent their Christmas dollars in drought ravaged towns, developed a muster that helped struggling communities.
From there, the Merry Muster was born and in its first year, Ms Bonner took 57 people to Dalby, Bell and the Western Downs.
With guests visiting Forest Hill, Awassi Cheesery, Schulte’s Meat Tavern and 9Dorf Farms, Ms Bonner said it was a reminder for city folk where their food came from.
“A lot of people don’t understand where their produce comes from, and I think that was a nice reminder,’ she said.
“Having those key moments of two on-farm visits and a more educational approach was the key to the success of the day.
“When people can put the money in the hand of the producer without the middleman, it means so much for both – and that’s the passion of the whole event.”
The tour included a pop-up market at the Butter Factory, which had 12 selected Lockyer businesses, followed by lunch.
Tracey Goebel, from Native Oz Bush Foods, reported a significant trading in just one hour.
“We had a whole hour with the tourists, and they were there to buy and spend,” she said.
“Just to have that quantity of people come in and spend what they did was just brilliant.”
Showcasing native bush foods that are grown at her Ropeley home, as well as produce made in their designated kitchen, Ms Goebel said the shoppers were after foods.
“They were wanting that different taste of native food. Native foods can bring so much into a dish – it’s unbelievable,” she said.
LVRC senior tourism and Events officer Tracy Vellacott was hopeful to organise future tourism events to showcase local produce.
She was confident estimating at least $25,000 to $30,000 was spent between the four stops and pop-up market.
“It’s a significant drop into the region’s economy,” Ms Vellacott said.
“Our economic development team say a direct dollar into the region can be multiplied by 1.63 because it then goes around your community again.”
With the success of the first Mini Muster, Ms Vellacott was keen to organise another visit to the Lockyer, saying the initial trip was just a taste of what the region has to offer.
“That’s our ideal for sure to bring in external buses to bring in people with external dollars to spend in our region,” she said.
“They’ve already got a beautiful taste of the Lockyer but there are other hidden gems here.”
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