LHI Distillery award
Anthony and Christian were thrilled to be awarded Champion, at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show, for their Wolfe Rock Gin. The RAS of NSW has been judging Australian produce annually for an amazing 202 years! “This was an incredible accolade to receive, really putting Lord Howe Island Distilling Co on the map as a leader in Australian spirits, with our unique endemic botanicals.”
Gone: Riverland Wine pair resign amidst wine crisis
Two leading figures at Riverland Wine – which was criticised by several members earlier in 2024, amid a disastrous year for many growers – resigned last week. Executive officer Lyndall Rowe and grower engagement officer Charles Matheson ended their paid roles with the advocacy body last Thursday. Representing over 900 local growers and around 30 wineries, Riverland Wine had been accused of a lack of action during the current industry crisis...
Record-high cocoa prices set to sharply increase the cost of chocolate for consumers – global report: Rabobank
Skyrocketing cocoa prices are putting strong pressure on chocolate producers around the globe, who will likely pass on the burden to consumers, according to a new international report by food and agribusiness banking specialist, Rabobank. In the report Soaring Cocoa prices: The worst is yet to come, the bank says the main impact of the cocoa crisis still lies ahead, as companies hedge prices and supply contracts up to a year in advance.
Labor refuses Norco hospital supply reinstatement
The Minns NSW Labor Government slammed the door on Norco being reinstated as a supplier to NSW Health on the North and Mid-North Coast in parliament last week, despite a previous NSW government decision to dump the 100 per cent farmer owned co-operative being reversed. When the issue was raised in parliament last Wednesday night, a public interest debate erupted where a motion was put forward by the NSW Nationals calling on the Minns Government to reverse its decision.
Honey, one of the world’s most faked products
Jens Roestel. Australia imports roughly 8,800 tonnes of honey per year ... When tested in a recent study about 18 per cent of honey found on Australian supermarket shelves showed signs of alterations ... companies spend a lot of time and effort to produce fake honey.
Nostalgia as café closes
It seemed natural that café owner Katrine Elliott would reflect and become nostalgic when speaking about the closure of the business that she has steered through more than 17 years. The iconic Berryman’s Café and Tearooms will cease operations on Sunday 29 September and hold a clearing sale in the following week.
Kyogle chef and councillor bring home the frypan trophy
Kyogle chef Shelly Snadden cooked her heart out at the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow ... Kyogle councillor Danielle Mulholland was by her side in the My Mayor Rules cook-off. Kyogle mayor Kylie Webster was unable to attend so former mayor Danielle stepped up.
TasFarmers urges corporate responsibility as King Island Dairy faces uncertain future
Tasmania’s peak farming body, TasFarmers, has expressed grave concerns about the potential closure of King Island’s iconic dairy operations, calling on the current owner to act as a responsible corporate citizen following its decision to close the milk island’s processing facility. TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said this news came at the worst possible time, as King Island grapples with the worst drought in over 100 years, ongoing shipping difficulties and the rising cost of doing business.
Crafty ‘paddock to pint’ plan brewing
A collaborative craft beer strategy will aim to grow WA’s craft beer sector, create jobs and promote the industry’s ‘paddock to pint’ tourism experience. The new strategy will bring together all parts of the craft beer supply chain to drive forward a unified and sustainable industry.
Brett’s burgers named SA’s best
Hugh Schuitemaker. Thinking outside the box with its offerings has seen a Riverland butcher distinguished with major state awards. Riverland Country Style Meats, based in Renmark, received two gold medals at the recent 2024 Regional and State Sausage King Awards.
Grocer goes preservative free
Cam and Dee Harmer are taking the first few steps to only stocking items that do not contain any kind of artificial ingredients at their Providore in Khancoban. The idea to only use preservative free items has long been a vested dream for the couple.
Ganmain Bakery crowned best in Riverina for seventh year running
The Ganmain Bakery has reclaimed the title of Best Bakery in the Riverina for the seventh year in a row. The award is part of the Triple M Riverina MIA Best Awards that spotlight the best of the Riverina in 12 different categories.
New $260,000 package for wine industry
Extra funding will be allocated to help Riverland grape growers address the oversupply of red wine. The State Government last week announced an extra $260,000 for CCW Co-operative, aimed at supporting members to diversify into alternate crops and improve access to information for new revenue streams ... The support package will also see an implementation officer appointed by Riverland Wine to assist with rolling out the Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint.
Corks out for 20 years – Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers
Cellar Dwellers is underway in Coonawarra, with wine lovers invited to discover treasures from Coonawarra’s cellars during July. 2024 marks the 20th Anniversary of the month long event which offers a fabulous program of food and wine events and bespoke tasting experiences, designed to highlight the wonderful cellaring ability of Coonawarra’s world class wines.
World record-breaking damper team reunite in Charleville after 5 years
The six team members who won the Guinness World Records crown for the Longest Damper - 153.002 metres - are reuniting in Charleville on July 13 for the 5-year anniversary since the epic event ... It’s going to be a small reunion this year, just sitting around the campfire and spinning some yarns, however we have some big plans to put Charleville more on the map": Ranger Nick.
Kooka’s welcomes cookers
A great deal of activity is happening at the new factory site of Kooka’s Country Cookies. Along with earthworks preparing the ground outside of the building, on the inside, the multimillion dollar factory fit out has commenced. Brand new equipment stands wrapped and ready for installation under the guidance of Raffaele De Fazio, who is staying for a month to oversee the furnishing of the production line.
Whisky barrels roll up at Karri Mia
Serena Kirby. The recent arrival of nearly 60 barrels of premium whisky marks major progress in the development of a new distillery on Mt Shadforth. The establishment of Nullaki Distillery has been the long-term dream of Michael Tomasz and his business partner who did not wish to be named that’s taken a decade to come to fruition.
Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code to get a fair go for families and farmers: Chalmers, Watt, Leigh
The Albanese Government will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, accepting all recommendations of a recent independent review into the Code as part of a wide‑ranging cost‑of‑living crackdown on anti‑competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector ... The Review found that the current voluntary Code is failing to address the imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers, including farmers.
Industry support ‘a drop in the ocean’?
Hugh Schuitemaker. Further federal government support measures will be needed to overcome current local wine industry challenges, according to two senior Riverland politicians. The Federal Government last week announced a $3.5m Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package, aimed at assisting the wine industry to respond to the oversupply of red wine.
Gold Starrs for Riverland winery
While the Riverland wine industry is battling through some of its darkest days, a local vineyard has offered a glimmer of light with a prestigious award win. Starrs Reach Vineyard, based at New Residence, won Innovative Vineyard of the Year at the Young Gun of Wine Annual Vineyard of the Year Awards last week, returning the trophy back to the Riverland after Ricca Terra won it in 2020.
Local couple reopen Club Hotel
The iconic Club Hotel, renowned for its feature on Selling Houses Australia in 2019 with its striking Porky Hawker beer garden mural, has once again changed hands. This time, it’s under the local ownership of husband and wife team, Steve and Michelle Martin.
CWA International Food Fair goes from strength to strength
CWA Narrandera Evening Branch is celebrating another huge success with their International Food Fair on Saturday ... "There were over 30 food and market stalls on offer, again a further increase on last year’s stall numbers": CWA President Beryl Brain ... Free children’s activities included a jumping castle, face painting and fun activities provided by Fusion.
