The fourth annual Horowhenua Taste Trail will take place on Saturday 23 November. An adventure through Horowhenua specialist food producers, which provides participants a behind the scenes experience of the excellent food grown and produced in the Horowhenua. Antony Young, Chairman of the Horowhenua Taste Trail Trust, says “when we launched the inaugural Horowhenua Taste Trail in 2016, we were determined to use it as an opportunity to tell inspiring stories of the district’s food producers”.
“Horowhenua grows and produces excellent food. We’ve created a live paddock to plate experience where participants are invited to explore the farms, packing sheds, and processing plants, providing a rare level of transparency.”
The event aims to showcase excellent producers and also help participant’s value fresh locally produced food.
“This year, we welcome new producers Waikawa Fresh, Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms, I & G Silver Olive Oil and Soul Sisters Kombucha. It is excellent to see so many new budding foodie businesses! We are also excited to have Ōhau Wines back on the Trail.”
The thirteen producers on the Trail for 2019 are Turk’s, Lewis Farms, I &G Silver Olive Oil, Bagrie Dairy Farm, The Baked Dane, Waikawa Fresh, The Ultimate Egg, Genoese Pesto, Thoroughbread Foods, Woodhaven Gardens, Soul Sisters Kombucha, Ōhau Wines and Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms.
All of our producers are proud to share their history with you when they open their doors on the day so you can take a behind the scenes glimpse into the way your food is grown and produced.
At each of the seven stops on the Trail participants will be taken through an experience which showcases the produce. From factory tours to gourmet food experiences, tastings to farm tours, the Trail will showcase the journey our locally made food takes from paddock to plate. Catherine Lewis, Executive Director, says “each year we want people coming back for more. So we are conscious of the need to include new producers but also grow the experiences on offer.”
“This year, we have attracted five new producers but because people only have so much time in one day we are collocating some producers at our larger sites. Helping to showcase new producers and adding to the atmosphere.”
The event welcomes people of all ages, and is family friendly. Get a group together and join a bus tour, or make this your Christmas function. Tickets will be on sale late Tuesday 1 October. Anyone wishing to join in the Trail can find out more information at the Taste Trail website www.tastetrail.co.nz or on their Facebook Page @horowhenuatastetrail
Event information:
- Ticketed event
- Date: Saturday 23 November 2019
- Time: 10am - 4pm
- Producers: Turk’s, Lewis Farms, I &G Silver Olive Oil, Bagrie Dairy Farm, The Baked Dane, Waikawa Fresh, The Ultimate Egg, Genoese Pesto, Thoroughbread Foods, Woodhaven Gardens, Soul Sisters Kombucha, Ōhau Wines and Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms.
- Website: www.tastetrail.co.nz
- Facebook and Instagram: @horowhenuatastetrail
2019 Producers:
Turk’s - A family business which has been in operation for over 40 years. Turk’s free range chickens are corn-fed which means they produce healthy chickens with delicious flavour and goodness. Their products are enjoyed throughout New Zealand.
Lewis Farms - Lewis Farms is a family owned and operated business that has been farming in the Horowhenua since 1934. They are the second largest asparagus grower in New Zealand and recently added strawberries and honey to their offering.
I & G Silver Olive Oil - Ian and Gillian have been growing and producing New Zealand Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Horowhenua since 2014.
Bagrie Dairy Farm - Bagrie Dairy Farm is a family dairy operation based in Waitarere, with a modern 54 bale rotary milking shed fitted out with the latest technology.
The Baked Dane - Since 2016 The Baked Dane has specialised in rustic Scandinavian inspired baked goods. Owner Lisa Brink is passionate about baking and selling home baked goods at local farmers markets.
Waikawa Fresh - Waikawa Fresh is a family owned and operated hydroponic lettuce and herb farm at Manakau. Their produce is packed to order daily for local and regional cafes and supermarkets.
The Ultimate Egg - A family owned business which offers free range and barn laid eggs for wholesale distribution throughout New Zealand supplying cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and specialty food stores. With exceptional high animal welfare standards, The Ultimate Egg was one of the first barn egg suppliers to be SPCA Blue Tick approved.
Genoese Pesto - A family owned and operated local business, manufacturing premium pesto’s from herbs and all natural ingredients. Genoese was established in Levin in 1993, and is the number one retail brand in New Zealand.
Thoroughbread Foods - Thoroughbread is a family owned company, selling baked goods to farmers markets and specialist grocers. Through the love of food and their passion for health, they strive to make the best products possible.
Woodhaven Gardens - Woodhaven Gardens is a family run commercial growing operation located on the fertile plains of the Horowhenua. They have production in excess of 1000 acres, producing and distributing quality vegetables both nationally and internationally.
Soul Sisters Kombucha - Soul Sisters Kombucha is a holistic brand of kombucha which has been in operation since 2017. Infused with Kawakawa Rongoa Maori medicine. Soul Sisters has been created based around these traditional Maori Medicine practices.
Ōhau Wines - As the only vineyard in this fledgling wine region, Ōhau Wines has been producing award-winning wines with intense fruit flavours since 2009.
Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms - Founded by Brent and Jude in 2018, Ohau Gourmet Mushrooms provides a business model that has helped them transition away from the increasing madness of the corporate world and get “off grid” in the Horowhenua.
