Now It's Easy To Feast From The Scenic Rim All Year

It’s never been easier to eat and drink locally in the Scenic Rim, thanks to a new program which enlists the help of accredited food and wine champions.

The inaugural intake of Scenic Rim ‘locavores’ was announced at the launch of the new Eat Local Scenic Rim initiative Thursday 1 November.

The Scenic Rim Regional Council program builds on the popularity of Eat Local Week by enabling locals and visitors to find, taste, buy, connect and eat local food and drinks year round.

The Eat Local Scenic Rim initiative was launched today at Towri Sheep Cheeses Allenview and boasts 57 inaugural ‘locavores’, who will champion Scenic Rim food and drinks on their menus, in their cafes, restaurants, wineries and accommodation, and sell local produce in their shops.

Accredited participants will display the Eat Local Scenic Rim logo on menus, in shopfronts, on farm gates and on websites and packaging, so visitors and locals can easily identify places to try and buy local produce.

Regional visitors can also create their own Scenic Rim Food Trail, using the online portal, or they can download ready-to-go food, wine and beer itineraries created for the region.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen says the region’s reputation as a gourmet destination is building, and consumers are hungry to enjoy Scenic Rim produce beyond Eat Local Week.

“The time was right to launch this next phase,” he said.

"South Australia has the Barossa Valley, Western Australia has the Margaret River, New South Wales has the Hunter Valley, Victoria has the Yarra Valley and Tasmania has the Tamar Valley - all great spots for a gourmet getaway and with a reputation for wonderful food and wine.

"The Scenic Rim has developed a strong reputation for producing wonderful food and wine, for gourmet getaways and for stunning scenery. It's now taking its rightful place alongside these other iconic destinations, and we have the added advantage of only being an hour away from Brisbane or the Gold Coast."

The Scenic Rim is emerging as one of Queensland’s most exciting food and wine destinations and one of the most collaborative, with producers keen to work together to develop unique offerings, including beer chutney, carrot bread, camel milk vodka and sheep and cow’s milk stout.

To be eligible for endorsement, Eat Local Scenic Rim applicants had to meet criteria for their category, including regularly featuring and identifying Scenic Rim ingredients on menus, in their mini bar, or in their shop.

Accredited members will be encouraged to display the Eat Local Scenic Rim logo in their restaurant or shopfront windows, at the farm gate and even on packaging and their website. They will also be invited to be involved in industry networking and development opportunities and be featured on a dedicated website, designed to make it easier for visitors and consumers to source local food and drinks.

The project was made possible with support from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund. Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport and Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said the Eat Local Scenic Rim initiative is a fantastic way of showcasing local industry and talent.

“The Eat Local project was made possible by the Federal Government and includes an online platform featuring local producers and businesses. Visitors to this beautiful region can have some real and engaging experiences with the men and women who produce our vegetables, dairy products, olives, honey, wine, craft beer and coffee, all within the Scenic Rim area.”

Newly-accredited locavore, Carolyn Davidson, said she was delighted that her Towri Sheep Cheeses could be part of the initiative and was keen to contribute to further growth for the regional industry.

"It’s great to see this initiative get off the ground and link the dots between those of us in the industry, our local customers and potential visitors from further afield," she said.

The full list of accredited Scenic Rim Locavores is online at www.eatlocalscenicrim.com.au

Businesses which would like to become part of the program can still apply at www.eatlocalscenicrim.com.au