Mornington Peninsula named Australia’s most outstanding region at 2018 Delicious Produce Awards
For great tastes of the Peninsula you just can’t beat buying seasonal food from right where it’s produced. Here’s just a handful of hidden delights the region has to offer.
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The region’s foodies have always know that the farm gate is the best place to find quality produce.
And now the rest of the nation knows it too, with the Mornington Peninsula being named Australia’s most outstanding region at the 2018 Delicious Produce Awards.
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In their 13th year, the annual gongs celebrate the best Australian products and producers as judged by a star panel of chefs and restaurateurs, including Maggie Beer, Shannon Bennett, Matt Moran and Andrew McConnell.
“Every year we’re blown away by the standard of produce,” Moran said.
You can buy just about anything direct from local growers on the peninsula from beef, fish, eggs and cheese to fresh fruit and vegies, olive oil and honey.
In some cases visitors can even pick the produce themselves.
To help growers spruik their produce and proteins a revamped farm gate guide was released last year.
The booklet and map is a collaboration between the farmers, Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP) and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Most properties on the map are MPP members. The certified trademark is a guarantee that the produce has been grown, bred or raised entirely on the Mornington Peninsula.
The shire’s agribusiness and food industry facilitator Sarah Saxton said the farm gate guide aimed to help consumers find top quality produce specific to the region.
“It’s not a new concept but we wanted to refresh and expand what was already there,” Ms Saxton said.
“I think the farm gates included are a really good representation of what the peninsula has to offer.”
She said about 80 per cent of the farms participating in the guide were also MMP certified.
“Consumers can be confident that they are buying local produce that has been ethically and sustainably farmed, bred or raised,” Ms Saxton said.
To download a farmgate map go to mpproduce.com.au/media/
HILLOCK DOWNS PRODUCE STORE
151 Dundas St, Rye
The best beef nature can produce. Angus/Friesian cattle bred and raised on the farm and fed only with their mother’s milk and lucerne rich pastures. MSA licensed (PCAS antibiotic free and HGP free).
Also home to Dromana Mussels this family owned business also sells flathead, snapper, calamari, garfish, flounder, whiting, gummy, rockling, oysters (shucked to order) prawns and scallops. The fresh fish and seafood is sold at Safety Beach foreshore (opposite 128 Marine Dr), Hastings foreshore (opposite 2 Marine Pde) and at Hastings Main St Market on Thursday mornings.
Text UPDATE to 0409 192 770 to find out what’s available
RED HILL CHERRY FARM
69 Prossors Lane, Red Hill
Victoria’s oldest pick your own cherry farm, selling sweet (table) cherries and morello (cooking/juicing) cherries, cherry beer, cider, dessert wine and port.
PENINSULA FRESH ORGANICS
6 Henderson Rd, Baxter
Certified organic produce including herbs, leafy greens, leeks and brassicas grown on the property plus certified meat, cheese, milk, cream and yoghurt, eggs and dried goods and kombucha on tap.
HARTS FARM
300 Tucks Rd, Shoreham
Visit the farm gate on weekends from 12pm-5pm for home grown olives and olive oil, balsamic and apple cider vinegars, cider made from heritage apples from the property and more modern varieties from orchards in Red Hill, olive oil and goats milk soaps.
WOOLUMBI FARM
233 Coolart Rd, Tyabb
Family farm specialising in rare breed pork and lamb. All stock is farmed ethically and free range, using organic principles.
MAIN RIDGE DAIRY
295 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge
Handcrafted farmhouse goat cheese made from milk produced at the on-site goat dairy. Taste the cheese first, then buy the cheese.
HAWKES VEGETABLES AND FARM GATE
661 Boneo Rd, Boneo
Family owned farm specialises in potatoes with premium kipflers sought after by Peninsula restaurants. They also offer farm tours and won bronze for Excellence in Food Tourism in the 2018 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards.
158 Browns Rd, Boneo
Fourth generation market gardeners selling seasonal produce fresh daily; the kids can feed the chickens while you shop.
Artisan cheese handmade using traditional French and Italian methods. Taste the cheese at a local Farmers Market, order a complete cheeseboard or take a class and make your own.
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