The Taste Bundaberg Festival celebrates the region’s vibrant food producers and chefs with over 30 events across the Bundaberg food bowl from 30 August to 8 September.
This month we share the stories of our Local Taste Ambassadors, and what makes them passionate about growing, producing and cooking in the Bundaberg Region.
Debbie and Michael from Bargara Berries share their story
How long have you been growing in the Bundaberg Region?
We have been growing in the region for over 30 years.
Debbie has been growing seedlings for our commercial vegetable seedlings since moving from a dairy farm in Canungra in September 1988.
Michael has been farming in the Bundaberg region since July 1994. He moved in from the farming region of Nambour, primarily growing passionfruit.
What do you love about living in the Bundaberg food bowl?
We really love the diversity! Everything is available from Avos to Zucchinis.
The region boasts numerous advantages, including abundant sunshine, fertile soil, and access to specialists which make the process easier.
We prioritise providing our local customers with the finest quality produce available.
Our customers make us feel like we are a part of their family.
It all begins with family, and we have a big one.
What would you like to tell visitors about the region’s vibrant fresh produce?
Buy local to get the freshest produce possible. Straight from the farm gate.
Talk to your farmers, they know what is going on.
Where is your business located and what is the best part about it?
Our farm is located just 10 minutes away from the Bundaberg Post Office, towards Moore Park Beach, in the locality of Meadowvale.
It is a small operation managed by the two of us.
Despite being in a relatively secluded area, we find it peaceful and serene.
Nevertheless, we can get anything we need in just 10 minutes.
Although Bundaberg is close to the bustling Sunshine Coast and the capital city of Brisbane, it’s always great to be back home.
How are you involved in Taste Bundaberg Festival this year?
This year we are excited to be ambassadors for the festival.
The farm will be open for picking your own strawberries and farm gate opportunities to buy our produce.
We will also be showcasing our strawberries, jams and sauces, and other assorted fresh fruits and vegies at the Taste Bundaberg Market.
And we are opening our farm to a dinner for those who are interested in knowing who we are and what we do.
What’s your favourite thing to cook using local fresh produce?
We love to enjoy a seafood marinara when we have an amount of tomatoes from our local growers, and The Red Shed Seafood shop have a really good marinara mix.
It is YUM!
Local tomatoes, local seafood, local herbs. A great combination.
Read more Local Taste Ambassador stories here, and check out the Taste Bundaberg Festival program.
