TIME TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

Foodies missing out on all the fabulous fare our region has to offer

Hi, let me introduce myself.

I am Nivard Nelson. My passions are food, wine and spending time with family and friends.

I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand (love my All Blacks) and have always had a passion for food.

New Zealand has an amazing culture of promoting local produce and after moving to Toowoomba in mid 2011, I noticed that there was not a huge emphasis on local produce, be it dairy, vegetables or wine.

People were happy to use the best from around Australia but were reluctant to utilise locally-sourced or produced ingredients.

The reason for writing this monthly column is to introduce the amazing local producers in our region.

I have been passionate about local providers and the great stories that they bring. These stories need to be told. Another interest, and reason for wanting this column, is to promote tourism, ideally food tourism.

We are happy to travel to Margaret River, the Barossa Valley and the Hunter Region yet we, as a local public are reluctant to visit our local wineries in Stanthorpe, cheese makers in Kingaroy or farms in the Darling Downs.

Now I also love to visit those regions in other states but I think that this is an area – the Darling Down, Granite Belt, Locker Valley – which is so diverse and varied and we should be celebrating and recognising the amazing producers that we have on our doorstep.

By promoting and championing these producers we can show Australia and the world just how special our region is.