Forum for budding foodie entrepreneurs

Following the success of their previous tourism field days held last year in Queensland’s Mary Valley, Southern Cross University’s Tourism Extension Unit is offering farmers and rural landowners a final chance to learn more about how they can diversify into tourism – with a special focus on food tourism.

The Regional Food Tourism Forum will take place on Tuesday, February 9 and will feature two guest speakers including Peter Wolfe of Cedar Creek Farm Bush Foods who is well-known for his exciting recipes incorporating bush foods and organic ingredients and Julie Shelton, founder of Slow Food Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

The forum, which will include a bush food lunch prepared by Peter Wolfe, aims to provide attendees with information on how to connect with the local food supply chain and maximise the opportunity tourism can present.

Guest speaker Julie Shelton, who is herself a farmer and food producer and has been involved in community development programs for the Mary Valley, knows more than most about the challenges and options facing food producers.

“These days there is so much more demand for good quality, local foods, and this forum will help people to take their business that little bit further in order to take advantage of this new interest,” said Ms Shelton.

“It’s about revitalising the food production sector and valuing the people who produce our food. Diversifying into tourism can help food producers create a situation that is better for them, better for tourists seeking an authentic experience, and better for the local economy.

“I know there are lots of innovative and forward thinking food producers in the region, and this is an opportunity for them to meet and form mutually supportive clusters, as well as to explore business development opportunities.

“Funded programs like these don’t come along every day, so I would encourage Mary Valley locals to come and learn more.”

The Regional Food Tourism Forum and the Mary Valley agritourism field days are part of a series of successful projects led by Southern Cross University that have already helped hundreds of farmers across the country determine whether a food tourism or farm-based tourism business could work for them.

There will be 20 interested producers and landowners from the food forum and field days selected to participate in a business development project for the region, designed to help them with their business plans and give their ventures the very best chance of success.

Rose Wright, manager Extension and Industry Development, at Southern Cross University’s Tourism Extension Unit said food tourism could allow farmers to diversify their income.

“We’re looking for food producers or farmers in the Mary Valley who might be interested in activities such as selling their produce directly to locals or visitors in the region, or to businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors,” said Ms Wright.

“We’ll be showing people how to get started in tourism and the steps they can take to increase their customer base and profitability.”

The field days are part of the Mary Valley Agritourism Project, which is a co-initiative of the Queensland Government, Tourism Queensland and Southern Cross University.

The Regional Food Tourism Forum will be held on Tuesday, February 9, from 9am to 3pm and is $27.50 per person including lunch and refreshments. To register, contact Graeme Whittaker on (07) 5480 4428 or 0428 417491 or email your interest to mv.agritourism@scu.edu.au. Venue will be advised upon registration.

Photo: Stakeholders in the Mary Valley Agritourism project Jason Keating from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Rose Wright from Southern Cross University, John Sereni from Tourism Sunshine Coast and Robyn Rae from Southern Cross University (high resolution image available on request).