Regional NSW food and wine producers star in tasty new videos
COVID may have stopped Australia’s regional producers attending international trade fairs and networking events, but a new series of videos is keeping agribusinesses in Southern NSW and the Capital Region front of mind with potential buyers.
People, produce and provenance are the focus of 13 films created by the not-for-profit Agribusiness Regional Development Association (ARDA), which received funding for the project through the Australian Government’s Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant program to help small to medium-sized producers access new markets.
The video series features behind-the-scenes vision and interviews with oyster and dairy farmers, truffle growers, winemakers, cherry and sheep farmers and more.
Under the grant funding, ARDA initially planned to host regional producers on trade missions to South East Asia to forge new business connections, and to bring potential international buyers to NSW and ACT farms, fisheries and vineyards, but the pandemic put paid to that.
“Like most people, we had to rethink our plans due to border closures. We needed to tell the authentic stories of our regional producers in a way that would be as effective as those face-to-face meetings, and we think we’ve more than succeeded with these videos,” said ARDA Secretary Daryl Young.
“Not only do they feature interviews with the people who put the food on our plates, but the stunning footage, including aerials of the unique landscapes, waterways, towns and villages of the Capital Region and Southern NSW, demonstrates exactly why this part of Australia is so special.”
Merimbula Gourmet Oysters owner Pip Boyton, whose family-run oyster farm on the shores of tranquil Merimbula Lake on the NSW far south coast is one of the businesses profiled, says she was thrilled to be involved in the project.
“Regional producers have been through some tough times and the opportunity to let people know that we’re still going strong, and have a really unique offering, is incredibly valuable,” says Ms Boyton. “Not many of us have the time, capacity or budget to travel and meet potential buyers even without COVID, so having these videos tell our story for us to a wider audience is fantastic.”
Mr Young said the videos would be shown to prospective domestic and international buyers who highly value Australian produce, as well as tourism operators, industry groups and at business and trade forums. In particular, ARDA was looking to share the videos with Canberra-based embassies and high commissions representing more than 80 nations.
“Doing the groundwork now to let these countries know via their diplomatic corps of the great things we have to offer means local agri-businesses can reap the rewards when people are travelling again,” he said. “As well as opening up new sales markets, we want to help put this region on the map as one of Australia’s most diverse and exciting food and wine tourism destinations.”
Watch and share the videos:
Merimbula Gourmet Oysters, Merimbula, NSW
Broadwater Oysters, Pambula, NSW
Sea Health Products, Tilba, NSW
Tilba Real Dairy, Tilba, NSW
Durran Durra / Blue Frog Truffles, Durran Durra/Sutton, NSW
Lake George Winery, Collector, NSW
Uriarra Station, Uriarra, ACT
BallinaClash, Young, NSW
Grove Estate Wines, Young, NSW
Farrah’s Liquor Collective, Canberra, ACT
La Barre Olives, Yass, NSW
Canberra Region compilation video
About ARDA
The Agribusiness Regional Development Association is a not-for-profit organisation helping Australian producers diversify their markets and grow their businesses. By improving the long-term prospects of small to medium-sized agribusinesses, ARDA is helping build strong and sustainable regional communities. Membership is free.
Media inquiries:
Mia Maze
E scmanager@ardaaustralia.org.au
P 0413 671 000
