Buy local ham this Christmas

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) congratulates the Tasmanian winner of Australian Pork Limited’s (APL) best ham competition.

Sharmans Butchery at Wivenhoe took out the State’s top honours in both the Traditional Bone-in and Boneless categories of the Australian Ham Awards.

The annual awards are held as part of Australian Ham week, which runs until December 6, celebrating and promoting our nation’s finest home-grown ham.

TFGA would like to take the opportunity to remind Tasmanians about the importance of buying local hams this Christmas.

“There are about fifty pig farms in Tasmania that raise approximately 13,000 pigs and produce 2150 tonnes of pork each year. Now is a great time to show them your support,’’ TFGA CEO Jan Davis said.

Tasmanian Island Pork Alliance (TIPA) Chairman Geoff Terry said that he hopes that the news encouraged more local sales. TIPA represents over 85 per cent of pig numbers and production in the State.

“I congratulate all of the local entrants on their efforts,’’ he said.

Sharmans impressed judges and took Tasmania’s top place. But they were not alone – hams from The Sausage Shop at Perth, and Nigel’s Gourmet on Tamar, Exeter, also received praise.

The Sausage Shop took out second place for its bone-in ham, while Nigel’s Gourmet on Tamar took second in the boneless title and third in bone-in.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis