Foodie trail taking off
Hidden away in Bell Block is a glasshouse bigger than most backyards – a stop on an increasingly popular foodie tour.
Natural Fare Herbs, tucked away on Corbett Rd, was one of more than 30 of the region’s food and drink producers who gave visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how they do what they do as part of Taranaki Taste and Tales.
Now in its third year, the event drew 280 people across seven trails on Saturday. They visited bakeries, breweries, barbecue suppliers, and everything in between.
There was another trail yesterday, and also cookery classes.
Participants are taken on their tours by bus or van, stopping off at various food producers for a
45-minute guided look around. Natural Fare Herbs owner Russell Jordan took the visitors through his glasshouse. It started out at 1800 square metres in size. After six alterations, it’s now
11,000 square metres. Jordan supplies the Foodstuffs supermarkets as well as local restaurants in the area. Orders come in up to 3am for the day ahead, he said.
‘‘It’s all cut to order.’’
He is also an old hand at guided tours, having been there for 40 years, and answering questions. Pointing to his glasshouse, he said of the visitors: ‘‘Some of them you won’t get 10 feet down that thing there and they’ve used up an hour.’’
Other firms involved included nut paste firm Emacademia, Bell Block microbrewery The Theoretical Brewer, and Egmont Seafood, of New Plymouth.
Lynsay Ireland, who helped co-ordinate the event, said: ‘‘There’s such a movement for understanding of where your food comes from.’’
Even her mum is a fan.
‘‘She said she’s never going to complain about the cost of macadamia nuts again because she’s seen the effort and work and love that goes into it.’’