Get behind the #BuyFromTheBush initiative this Christmas

Our cousins in the bush are doing it tough, so this Christmas, go beyond the city streets and look to the bush for all your foodie gifts.

There is nothing like a beautiful bush find. Buying a ham direct from a pig farmer, tasting relish made from farm fresh tomatoes or a hamper of dried fruit straight off the farm.

Yet, the incredible innovation, creativity and productivity continue and bush producers are delivering amazing products to market. Each of which tell their own story of determination, resilience and hope in this time of awful drought.

Grace Brennan is the force behind #BuyFromTheBush, an initiative that encourages people from the city to support their country cousins by buying gifts from regional NSW.

“Now, more than ever, we are encouraging people in the city to look to beautiful bush producers to source their Christmas delights and gifts,” she said.

“Drought has meant reduced crops, minimal pastures for stock and very limited cash flow for farming families.”

So this Christmas, please think outside your urban box and #buyfromthebush.

You won’t regret it. For inspiration and to purchase follow @buyfromthebush on Instagram and Facebook.

Beautiful loose-leaf teas from Mud+Gee.

MUD+GEE

If visions of sugarplums kept you up all night or that midafternoon slump is hitting you like a lump of coal, that’s your signal to put on the kettle, and if you’re setting up your cup with the premium loose-leaf teas from Mud+Gee, prepare for a giggle and a smile.

Rather than selling the blends in tins or boxes, owner Honour Ridoutt uses bespoke glass test tubes and for an added ounce of cheek, gives each one a clever name such as Netflix & Chill and Can’t Adult Today. This year, she has created a cinnamon and clove festive tea blend for her Christmas Collection, each tube making a cute holiday statement such as Santa Said You’ve Been Good This Year.

A former city girl, the move to Mudgee inspired Ridoutt to start her own business where she could not only share her love of tea, but with a bit of cheekiness, project the vitality of country life. She admits that “having experienced first-hand the devastating effects of the drought and now the constant threat of the bushfires” things are now really tough. But like any community that looks after one another during hardship, Ridoutt is heartened by the great support from initiatives like Buy Regional and Buy From The Bush. Visit mudandgee.com.au

The Magic Pudding regional hamper.

THE MAGIC PUDDING

THIS eclectic shop’s boutique small goods selection is replenished as soon as something leaves the shelves. Owner Sarah Winton-Smith’s emphasis is on quality gourmet products, the majority sourced from local suppliers.

For the holidays, Winton-Smith suggests a regional hamper. “Each one features products grown and made in our region of NSW, a real help to those around us,” she says.

One of her favourite products is the Chunky Orange Marmalade from Sam Bermel, a local Bingara-based producer well-known for her jams and quinces. “It’s perfect for the Christmas ham glaze,” she says. 295 Peel St, Tamworth. Visit themagicpudding.com.au

A decadent fruitcake from Festina Lente Foods.

FESTINA LENTE FOODS

CRAVINGS have a way of making people do funny things. For Robyn Nadin, it was a quest for the perfect muesli that put the proverbial bee in her bonnet and rather than settling, she opted to make her own which subsequently led to starting up a small business.

“I couldn’t find what I wanted in the shops”, says Nadin, noting that everything she looked at seemed to have added sugar and a lack of quality Australian ingredients.

“I don’t skimp on ingredients so it’s made from Australian grains, seeds, fruit and nuts,” she says. Come Christmas Nadin gets into the festive spirit and adds a decadent fruitcake to her offerings. “They are very rich and figgy and doused in lots of whisky,” she says.

And now they’re also in high demand thanks to initiatives highlighting regional businesses. So get in fast as she’s only taking orders through to December 1. Visit festinalentefoods.com

Mudgee Lamb not only sells free-range lamb but also premium beef and pork.

MUDGEE LAMB

FROM little things big things grow and that includes the family business at Mudgee Lamb. Starting eight years ago from their Mudgee farm, owners Michael and Carolyn Emeny have gone from doing a dozen or so deliveries of lamb to supplying thousands of families not only with their free-range lamb but also premium beef and pork.

Michael and his crew put as much attention into the expansive acreage in which the lamb are free to graze on a diet of grass and herbs as they do with the butchering and packaging of their meats. You’ll need to hurry to get that Christmas roast. Visit mudgeelamb.com.au

Myrtle+ Pepper’s fine handpainted chocolate.

MYRTLE & PEPPER

Little did Rachel King, owner of Myrtle & Pepper know that when she set out to make chocolates featuring native ingredients that she’d be taking a position centre stage. Her delicate designs and unique flavours have since garnered her a number of awards, including gold at The Sydney Royal Chocolate Show and the Australian Food Awards. Even the packaging is beautiful. (For details visit www.myrtleandpepper.com)

The Diamond Collection’s chocolate delights.

THE DIAMOND COLLECTION

Not only will you be helping out a regional business by purchasing these handmade chocolates, jams and Christmas puddings but you’ll also be supporting Destiny Haven, a place of healing for women recovering from addictions while also learning life skills. With The

Diamond Collection, the women not only grow the ingredients on site but do all the cooking there as well. (Available at The Hunter Collection, Morpeth, or thediamondcollection.com.au)

BROOKIE’S BYRON SLOW GIN

Shaken or stirred, Brookie’s Byron Slow Gin is not only smooth on the palette, it’s easy on the eyes. After having soaked Davidson plums in Byron Dry Gin, not only does it provide and exhilarating flavour but a festive light red colour as well. Purchase separately or as part of the Christmas Collective that includes Brookie’s Dry Gin and Mac. By Brookie’s, a butterscotch, coffee and cacao liqueur. (For details visit capebyrondistillery.com)

Boutique Sauces’ selection of yummy accompaniments.

BOUTIQUE SAUCES

That ham looks glorious but it won’t glaze itself fortunately Regan and Dan Facey, owners of Boutique Sauces based in the Hunter Region have you covered. “Our wish is to make Christmas Day a little easier and something special for home cooks with chef-made finishing sauces to smother over your Christmas”. Phew. Crisis averted. (For details visit www.boutiquesauces.com)

The Famous Robertson Pie Shop in Robertson.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS FOOD & WINE CLUSTERS

A mere 90-minutes from Sydney exists an abundance of premium producers just waiting to be explored. Grab mouth-watering baked goods at places such as Stones Patisserie in Berrima or The Famous Robertson Pie Shop in, well, Robertson. Or round out the weekend over a big Christmas feast (December 1 & 8) within the Joadja Cluster, The Loch, a working farm, garden and guesthouse. Here you’ll also be able to pick up fresh produce from neighbouring farms. There are so many wonderful boutique wineries, brewers, distillers, chocolatiers, cheese makers and pretty much anything else you can think of to eat and drink, as well as an abundance of stellar restaurants. If you can’t make it out there though, these maps also work as guides to scout out online shops such as Mrs Oldbucks Pantry for all sorts of jams, chutneys and sauces; or The Apple Thief for alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling ciders. The options are limited only by your Christmas list. (For details, visit southernhighlandsfoodandwineclusters.com.au)

ORANGE F.O.O.D WEEK is a great getaway.

ORANGE F.O.O.D WEEK

Go all out for your favourite foodie this year with tickets to the 2020 ORANGE F.O.O.D (Food of Orange District) Week, 27 March – 5 April 2020, 10 days of all things food and wine to celebrates the start of the autumn harvest. There’ll be over 100 events and sessions including F.O.O.D Night Markets, a grazing dinner and foraging. Tickets go on sale December 20th. (For details, visit orangefoodweek.com.au)

Snow goose cherry-filled Sweet Luxuries hamper.

SNOW GOOSE CHERRIES

The ruby redness of ripe cherries is a guaranteed win for any gift-giving occasion, but to really add the wow factor, opt for the one of Snowgoose’s hampers featuring premium hand-picked cherries from their orchards in Young, NSW. Go decadent with the Sweet Luxuries hamper. It includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, true gourmet cheeses, handcrafted Belgian chocolates from Nina’s Chocolates in Gymea and Maya Sunny Honey Macadamia Crunch. Other options include a bottle of Moët & Chandon and chocolates; cherries and mangoes; or just the luscious cherries all on their own. (For details visit snowgoose.com.au)

Originally published as Get behind the #BuyFromTheBush initiative this Christmas