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Greater Whitsunday Food Network Celebrates Milestone

Announcement posted by Greater Whitsunday Food Network 14 Sep 2016

Stakeholders and supporters of the Greater Whitsunday Food Network (GWFN) are invited to celebrate a year of successes and to help plan for the future of the network at the inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Stakeholder Forum in Mackay on Friday 16th September. 

 

Since its formation in July 2015, the GWFN has gained steady momentum with the establishment of a weekly farmers’markets, staging of star-studded gala dinners, and cooking demonstrations featuring celebrity chefs among some of the events held throughout the past year. 

 

GWFN President Deb McLucas has been at the helm of the movement since July 2015 and is proud of the group’s achievements. “As a not-for-profit organisation we are all contributing many volunteer hours to make these things happen and it is very rewarding when they are so well received,” she said.

 

The Greater Whitsunday Farmers’ Market, held in Mackay City Centre every Wednesday afternoon, has earned a notable reputation as a reliable source of fresh food and friendly faces, with hundreds of shoppers visiting the market each week to purchase produce from local farmers. 

 

“Customers really appreciate the quality of the produce. It’s so fresh and full of flavour and they love being able to talk to the farmer who produces the food that they enjoy each week,” Ms McLucas said. 

 

The farmers’ market is one of a number of priorities the network has identified to build a local food system that will help consumers to be more connected to their food. “Chefs, manufacturers, retailers and farmers are just some of the people who are part of this effort and of course the consumer is right on board with this too,” Ms McLucas said.

 

Mackay is following what is a global trend for people to understand more about where their food comes from and how it is produced. “This is reflected by the number of families who are supporting the market each week,” Ms McLucas said.

 

One farmer who is keen to tap into this interest is Eungella dairy farmer and guest speaker for the AGM, Dale Fortescue of Eungelladale Milk. Dale and his wife Paula recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 to purchase and install the equipment required to build a pasteurisation plant at their farm to bottle their milk locally for supply to the region. 

 

Mackay Regional Council Deputy Mayor Amanda Camm and Whitsunday Regional Councillor Jan Clifford are also confirmed to attend the AGM and will be participating in 'Our Food Future Forum', an open panel discussion where plans for further development of food systems and agritourism in the region will be the main focus. The general public is encouraged to attend the forum to share any concerns and express their thoughts.

 

Those wishing to attend the AGM and Stakeholder Forum are urged to RSVP to admin@greaterwhitsundayfood.org.au or contact Deb McLucas on 0428 380191 for further information.

 

GWFN Annual General Meeting

Friday, 16th September 10:00am – 12:30pm

Location: Reception Room (First Floor), Council Administration Building, 73 Gordon Street, Mackay