THE Great Lakes Food Trail is set to return over the June long weekend, bigger and better than ever.

More than a dozen local produces will be opening their properties to the public during the Winter Food Trail, which will be held on Sunday 11 June.

Visitors will be able to taste local water buffalo milk, jersey cow cheese, wines, seasonal fruits and seafood.

Gourmet meals and a range of baked good and desserts packed full of local, organic produce will also be on offer.

Local producer, Julie Steepe, from Bulahdelah’s Lucy Land Merino Farm, said the Food Trail is all about promoting the brilliant, chemical free, local produce.

“It’s about like minded, ethical producers who are working together to showcase this great region and everything it has to offer,” Julie said.

“We have a huge variety of great ethical food, and just like our diverse landscape with the beaches, rivers and valleys, our food is just as diverse.”

Through farms tours, visitors will also learn about the principles of permaculture gardening and ethical farming straight from the local producers.

For children, and the young at heart, feeding lambs and chickens and collecting eggs is bound to be a highlight.

Speaking with News Of The Area, Julie said she was overwhelmed at the success of the Easter Food Trail.

“It was so inspiring to see so many people turn up who had such a huge level of respect and interest in where their food comes from,” Julie said.

“We don’t want to be feeding our animals hormones to increase their growing potential, we want them to be open ranged and pasture raised on open fields.”

The Great Lakes Winter Food Trail will take visitors on a self-drive tour of the region, with stops in Bulahdelah, Stroud, Wootton, Bungwahl and Pacific Palms.

 

By John SAHYOUN