Page 4677 - Week 12 - Thursday, 1 November 2018
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Truffle farms in and around Canberra are also making their mark, with food lovers and the adventurous rugging up each winter to hunt, taste, and cook this distinct delicacy. The annual Canberra Truffle Festival is testament to the success and popularity of this locally grown product. The Truffle Farm in Majura has become a staple in the city’s gastronomic scene, hosting a range of exciting events and experiences during Australia’s truffle season, from late May to early September. The Truffle Festival’s success can also be measured in numbers. More than 10,000 truffle tourists descend on truffle farms in and around Canberra each year in search of the black gold. According to research commissioned by local producers and the University of Central Queensland, these visitors contribute about $8 million a year to the region.
And who could forget the Canberra region’s winemakers? It is a region well known for its cool climate wines, from riesling to shiraz and a whole lot in between. It is a region with a growing presence at awards across the country and in James Halliday’s inimitable Wine Companion. Wine tastings and tours have become an essential pastime for locals and tourists alike, with wine lovers exploring the ACT, Murrumbateman and the Lake George area in search of a quality drop.
The capital wine region may be relatively young but it has become one of our most exciting industries. A new generation of winemakers are pushing the envelope: winemakers like Chris Carpenter, who was central to moving Lark Hill Winery towards organic and biodynamic farming, and Sam Leyshon, who has not been afraid to take risks alongside his father, John, at Mallaluka Wines, which is producing some of the region’s most experimental drops. You do not even need to cross the New South Wales border to enjoy everything our wine region has to offer, with Mount Majura Vineyard just a short drive away. I am sure many of us feel like we could probably do with a nice glass of wine after another busy sitting week, but we have got a few hours to go.
This is just a taste of the primary producers and businesses on our doorstep, innovators that complement the many events that initially attract visitors to Canberra, such as Floriade, and keep tourists in our city for longer by encouraging them to explore the city and the surrounding region.
Many of these success stories are best showcased at the capital’s many lively markets. One of our biggest markets is the Capital Region Farmers Market, a community initiative coordinated by the Rotary Club of Hall. This market showcases a range of primary producers from across the region and beyond, with an array of fresh produce, meat, fresh free-range eggs, dairy items, plants and more. Markets like these are a convenient and enjoyable way to support farmers and small businesses while reducing food miles and filling our pantries and fridges with fresh produce.
This government is committed to supporting our primary producers in a number of ways, including best practice land management, increasing biodiversity, managing biosecurity risks and fostering innovation amid a changing climate. September was Australia’s driest on record. ACT farmers have not been immune to the country’s arid conditions and below average rainfall. In August this government announced financial assistance for struggling farmers in the form of transport subsidies. Eligible farmers
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