Over the passed weekend ,Country Valley sponsored an exhibit at the Camden Country Show. We gave some local stall holders the opportunity to present their goods to the wider community. The weather was perfect, and a huge crowd turned out for the Friday and Saturday event.
Country Valley made milkshakes to give our show goers a treat that many of them had almost forgotten about...cold ,creamy milk, icecream and their favourite flavouring. The response was overwhelming for my very dedicated assistants. Crowds of people and huge plaudits for THEIR service and for "The Milk". Along with the shakes, we tried to highlight our award winning LUSH yoghurt (Champion Yoghurt 2011 Sydney Royal Show). I must have presented tens of litres of yoghurt to anyone silly enough to listen to my story of our 2 ladies working almost without mechanical intervention. Stirring, carrying and scooping yoghurt all day.
Let me say , it was a real pleasure to interact with so many of our customers and prospective customers. Everyone took on board the Country Valley story, and they gave so much positive feedback on our products that I'm set for ideas at the next 10 management meetings...thank you all very much.
In my spare time ( after milk and yoghurt) I presented some cheese samples from 2 very small producers. Most people had not heard of the companies... HIGHLAND ORGANICS from Moss Vale and SMALL COW FARM from Robertson on the southern highlands. Highland Organics make a variety of firm cheeses very well suited to any plate at any table. Cheeses such as Pecorino, Tomme and a beautiful Pepper cheese proved crowd favourites while Small Cow Farm produced some of the very best soft mould cheeses I have had the pleasure to put on my table. A lush Camembert and a "Wicked Blue" that had cheese experts across the showground licking their collective lips.
Once again the response from the public was GREAT... people took advantage of the opportunity to try (and enjoy) a range of cheeses that they have never seen, even though they were ALL produced less than 1 hour away from the showground. Almost everyone picked their individual favourite and either bought a block or took contact details of where they can buy some.Wollondilly Farmgate Online, Local produce online - you can taste ...
There is something about giving service and receiving praise from strangers. People are basically good at heart and most recognise and appreciate hard work. To all those people who came in and talked to me or the girls on the stall, I say "thank you" and ... keep up the GOOD FOOD fight.
The Real Country Valley
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Who's Up for it ???
Like most guys these days, I have spent many hours in one supermarket or another. Recently I took the time to look critically at the layout, the lighting and the placement of the products.This sudden interest was sparked by the running battle we, as milk producers, are having with the grocery giants. I walked each aisle and took in the scene I was presented with.
The access was excellent with wide entry points and a seemingly over necessary number of 4 wheeled " two year olds" (They go just where they want to). As I moved through "Fruit and Veg" I acknowledged the brighter lighting and the very organised rows of PERFECT produce. I thought about my loving efforts to grow these specimens at home... mine taste great but never look this good. Fruit of every type...no seasonality here, summer,winter and spring produce next to each other on the shelf. What a choice !
The same can be said of the butchery. Lamb ,pork and beef of every style and cut. Spring lamb (in March) organic chicken and WAGU !! I could only hope they are paying the producers a premium to put such a selection on our collective plate. Then there was the fish. Was this selection taken in a sustainable way?... The adverts said...YES , but what about the freshly thawed ones from Indonesia , Vietnam and some from the Indian Ocean ???
By now I was beginning to feel a little like the young child at the check out, with all the lollies and chocolates at face height. Did I need some marketing guru to furtively convince me to buy , buy, buy ?
Don't I know what I want and understand what I need ?
I paid for the things I needed, acknowledged the efforts of the staff to keep the shelves looking impressive, then I left.
The next Saturday morning I found myself at the local Farmers Market. Walking around the stalls , there was no MUZAC playing over a sound system, just 2 ladies with guitars. As I approached each stall, I was greeted with a smile and an offer of assistance. I could ask the producer a question about timing, processes and ingredients. And I could feel the excitement each of these producers held for their products...there was none of this in the sterile monolith from earlier in the week.
At the "Fruit and Veg. " stall , I had to smile at the situation... dirt floor, only natural sunshine on my back and dare I say it..blemishes on some of the tomatoes (just like the ones I grow each summer). I filled my recyclable bag with the fruits of the labours of this family run stall. I wanted Qld Blue pumpkin but could only get Butternut.No big deal. I asked for some boc choy and the lady passed me a bunch and asked if I've ever used Fennel. I said "No" and she threw me a knob and told me to try it and buy some more next week. I know this could not happen INSTORE.
A similar thing happened at the Olive stall. I only knew the name of the Kalamata variety. When I asked for them the stallholder presented me with a taste plate of 4 different varieties and styles. He explained the idiosyncrasies of each and suggested the style to suit my menu.. I felt very informed when I served them to my guests that evening.
After a very leisurely walk around the first half of the market, the smell of freshly brewed coffee sent my olfactory nerve into arrest. A hot Macciato and a sourdough pretzel , just what I needed, then back to finish my shopping. No queues , no red light specials... just clean fresh air ,smiling faces and a feeling of DOING THE RIGHT THING.... for Me , for the Community and I hope for Producers across the country.
May I suggest to you... make the time, find a farmers market in your area and FEEL the difference this type of shopping can make to your psyche. Buy fresh, eat well and.... FEEL GOOD !
The access was excellent with wide entry points and a seemingly over necessary number of 4 wheeled " two year olds" (They go just where they want to). As I moved through "Fruit and Veg" I acknowledged the brighter lighting and the very organised rows of PERFECT produce. I thought about my loving efforts to grow these specimens at home... mine taste great but never look this good. Fruit of every type...no seasonality here, summer,winter and spring produce next to each other on the shelf. What a choice !
The same can be said of the butchery. Lamb ,pork and beef of every style and cut. Spring lamb (in March) organic chicken and WAGU !! I could only hope they are paying the producers a premium to put such a selection on our collective plate. Then there was the fish. Was this selection taken in a sustainable way?... The adverts said...YES , but what about the freshly thawed ones from Indonesia , Vietnam and some from the Indian Ocean ???
By now I was beginning to feel a little like the young child at the check out, with all the lollies and chocolates at face height. Did I need some marketing guru to furtively convince me to buy , buy, buy ?
Don't I know what I want and understand what I need ?
I paid for the things I needed, acknowledged the efforts of the staff to keep the shelves looking impressive, then I left.
The next Saturday morning I found myself at the local Farmers Market. Walking around the stalls , there was no MUZAC playing over a sound system, just 2 ladies with guitars. As I approached each stall, I was greeted with a smile and an offer of assistance. I could ask the producer a question about timing, processes and ingredients. And I could feel the excitement each of these producers held for their products...there was none of this in the sterile monolith from earlier in the week.
At the "Fruit and Veg. " stall , I had to smile at the situation... dirt floor, only natural sunshine on my back and dare I say it..blemishes on some of the tomatoes (just like the ones I grow each summer). I filled my recyclable bag with the fruits of the labours of this family run stall. I wanted Qld Blue pumpkin but could only get Butternut.No big deal. I asked for some boc choy and the lady passed me a bunch and asked if I've ever used Fennel. I said "No" and she threw me a knob and told me to try it and buy some more next week. I know this could not happen INSTORE.
A similar thing happened at the Olive stall. I only knew the name of the Kalamata variety. When I asked for them the stallholder presented me with a taste plate of 4 different varieties and styles. He explained the idiosyncrasies of each and suggested the style to suit my menu.. I felt very informed when I served them to my guests that evening.
After a very leisurely walk around the first half of the market, the smell of freshly brewed coffee sent my olfactory nerve into arrest. A hot Macciato and a sourdough pretzel , just what I needed, then back to finish my shopping. No queues , no red light specials... just clean fresh air ,smiling faces and a feeling of DOING THE RIGHT THING.... for Me , for the Community and I hope for Producers across the country.
May I suggest to you... make the time, find a farmers market in your area and FEEL the difference this type of shopping can make to your psyche. Buy fresh, eat well and.... FEEL GOOD !
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