Held over the weekend of May 6–7 this year, with a special taster event on Friday 5 May, the NRF Harvest Food Trail is guaranteed to be a very Northern Rivers experience, reflecting on and celebrating the distinctive provenance of our region’s food.
The Harvest Food Trail offers a unique opportunity for you to meet with local farmers, producers, growers, distillers and chefs to celebrate and experience all the incredible food and beverages the Northern Rivers has to offer. It includes farm tours, behind the scenes insights, free tastings, chef workshops, fine-dining, barbecue lunches, distillery and brewery tastings and so much more!
Just a few of the events:
Tweed:
The Oyster Shed overlooking Birds Bay is offering the fresh oysters with local finger lime paired with a drink. Multi-award winning Potager restaurant is offering a lazy Sunday lunch with a three-course menu. At Tweed River House you can enjoy an afternoon soiree on the riverside lawns taking in the river and hinterland views. The Gin Experience is featuring handcrafted cocktails along with a tapas style menu and gin masterclass at Eungella. Mavis’ Kitchen at Uki has a family fun and barbecue day with garden tours, barbecue breakfast and lunch from the smoker, chef talks and cocktail bar.
Lismore:
The Nimbin Bush Theatre Café have a three-course lunch, featuring produce from their garden, with members of their food community providing insight into food production and a local musician entertaining guests. Nimbin Valley Dairy is offering a tasting of their cheese range, along with a talk and farm tour and explanation of the Australian artisan cheese industry. Kids can enjoy a sausage sandwich, yoghurt and fruit on the farm tour.
Byron Shire:
Santos Organics in Mullum and Byron have a farm-to-plate experience with an organic seasonal sample plate while showcasing their favourite local producers and artisans offerings. The Farm in Ewingsdale in collaboration with Three Blue Ducks offer a unique behind-the-scenes tour. Stone and Wood and 100 Mile Table invite you to their Beers and Bites experience. Barrio have a special barbecue event featuring local pork from Bangalow Sweet Pork, and at Lord Byron Distillery you can drop in to visit the family owned distillery and taste their world class rums with a special food pop-up.
In Bangalow, Common People Brewing Co. have a specially designed Harvest Food Trail set menu. You can enjoy a thoughtfully curated menu of three delicious courses with perfectly paired beers or wines. Harvest in Newrybar have a special Sunday lunch overlooking the gardens with some of the finest food, Australian wine and cocktails in the region. At Zentveld’s Coffee Farm you can start your busy day with a coffee on an actual coffee farm. Enjoy full Barista service with pastries on the deck and a guided walk through the coffee rows. Also in Newrybar, Duck Creek Macadamias are offering free tastings with their farm gate open.
Ballina:
This year there is a special finale event at Sugar Beach Ranch in Ballina with a fun-filled afternoon featuring a special performance by The Buckleys. Tickets include access to the ranch, a delicious plate by The Gin Experience and welcome drink from Winding Road with bar service available. BYO picnic rug, umbrella and chairs.
For full info see: northernriversfood.org/harvest-food-trail/
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