A new website has just been launched to showcase the diversity of fresh food grown in our region. The Mountains to Murray Local Produce Guide features over 100 local farm businesses and makes it easy for people to source local produce.

The guide is an initiative of the North East Catchment Management Authority, with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

“The Mountains to Murray Local Produce Guide is a celebration of the wonderful diversity of foods grown in North East Victoria and the Albury region”, says Amber Croft, Regional Landcare Facilitator. “Everything from potatoes and pork, to saffron, capers and pumpkin seeds are grown by our local farmers. We’re very lucky!”

“By purchasing locally-grown food, we’re supporting local agricultural production and boosting our local economy, plus and we’re reducing our environmental impact because our food isn’t coming from the other side of the country, or the other side of the world.”

The new website includes the categories of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, eggs and dairy, nuts and seeds, oils, honey, and herbs and spices.

Farm businesses can register to be added to the guide at any time, free of charge, via the website.

“Buying direct from our local farmers at the farm gate or farmers market, we’re also building a sense of community by developing relationships with the people who grow our food”, says Ms Croft. “And we’re teaching our kids where their food comes from.”

Check out the new guide at www.localproduceguide.com.au and embrace fresh, seasonal produce this summer.

Photo: Aerin Sutherland (9) and her sister Rhian (3) of Phillip Island, enjoying cherry picking with Stanley local Adelle Croft (8) at Europa Gully Orchard in Stanley.