Foodies and wine buffs arrived in droves when Tinamba Food and Wine Festival opened on Sunday.
Disregarding any notion of no drinking before midday, packs of eager Gippslanders queued to taste wines and sample local produce from an array of vendors.
Launching the Central Gippsland Foodmap, which encompasses Wellington and Latrobe Valley producers, Wellington Shire Council representatives were thrilled with the turnout that included many Latrobe Valley residents.
“It’s a great indicator that people are really interested in knowing where their food and wine comes from and buying locally,” Wellington Shire acting coordinator sustainability Melissa Bastian said.
Wellington Shire have funded the foodmap to give interested residents and visitors to the region an idea of where they can source and enjoy local produce.
Still looking for more local producers to take part in the initiative, Ms Bastian said it was a sign of the times.
“Consumers and tourists are becoming more conscious of what they eat and where it comes from and the history of it,” Ms Bastian said.
“They’re getting more of a feel of who’s making it and the love they put into it.”
“It’s not just something you pick up from your shelf anymore, it’s part of a movement as well that people want to know where their food is coming from.”
Mayor Carolyne Crossley said by using a Google mapping program, the online directory was a great avenue to showcase food experience opportunities.
To view the Central Gippsland Foodmap or apply to take part, visit centralgippslandfoodmap.com.au
