In the photo from left to right: Joss Fenton – 4 Business & Community (a sponsor of the Sprout Producer Program), Dr Alice Percy – CEO of Sprout Tasmania, Marcus Vermey – owner of Vermey’s Quality Meats in Sandy Bay holding Tasmanian-origin stamped meat, Bec Lynd – Big River Highland Beef
MEAT lovers are increasingly curious about the traceability of their chops and steak, in the hunt for local produce, says Sandy Bay butcher Marcus Vermey.
He said it was difficult for consumers to know where the meat on their plate comes from, putting pressure on butchers and stores to maintain strong relationships with suppliers, in order to guarantee the origin of produce.
“Meat has traceability and knowing your supplier reinforces the provenance of the product,” Mr Vermey said.
Sprout Tasmania CEO Alice Percy said Tasmanians want to buy and eat locally farmed meats, but rarely know the origin of what they’re buying.
Sprout is a not-for-profit organisation helping local producers and farmers connect with consumers, and runs the Sprout Producers Program which supports small or start-up producers to get their ideas into the ground, growing and to market.
Big River Highland Beef producer Bec Lynd, from Plenty, is a Sprout Producer and sells her high-quality beef directly from the farm so consumers can be confident about the origin of meats.
Sprout Tasmania is gearing up to host its third Cross Pollinate conference. This year’s conference will be held in Launceston on November 4 & 5, examining ‘People, Place and Provenance’ in Tasmanian food production.
Sprout Tasmania’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Alice Percy said the aim of the conference is to build Tasmanian food opportunities from the ground up.
“The conference will help identify opportunities for connecting Tasmanian producers to businesses and community, developing Tasmanian food tourism, culture and innovation,” Dr Percy said.
“Sprout recently crowdfunded $27,000 for the Fork to Fork project- an online market to connect Tasmanian producers with consumers. This was an idea generated at last year’s Cross Pollinate conference.”
“Sprout is also seeking applications for next year’s Sprout Producers Program, an accreditation program for farmers and growers that provides mentoring, field days and educational units; successful applicants will be announced at the conference dinner.”
More details: visit www.crosspollinate.org.au and www.sprout.org.au
Claire Burnet
