CHRONICLE COLUMN – 19 JUNE 2023 – THE SOURCE
Combine our rich soils, with our glorious climate, inspiring talent for growing, making, baking, and brewing and mix in entrepreneurial skills and thinking and the business community have created the perfect recipe for The Source. A magazine celebrating our rich food heritage.
Toowoomba’s food products first exploded into the Australian economy more than 120 years ago and its reputation continues to shine. In fact, our lifestyle has been paddock to plate for over 170 years.
Rich Lands are The Source
The first European communities were built around grand pastoral runs on the region’s fertile alluvial plains. They produced superior merino wool, beef, diary, and wheat and other broadacre crops followed. German ancestry inspired top quality beer, wine, and traditional small goods while our clever Chinese market gardens had no trouble growing fresh greens.
The was all after our First Nations People carefully curated the land and shared in the plentiful harvest on the great rich lands in our region. Today, with businesses like Native Ox Bushfoods sharing their amazing food and rich traditions.
To this day, we proudly claim ownership of businesses that become household names including Defiance Flour, Crows Nest Cordials, KR Darling Downs bacon factory and more recently Home Ice Cream, Weis Bars, Mother Meg’s, Jim Jerky, Homestyle Bake, Story Fresh and Stahmann Webster just to name a few. And let’s not forget Toowoomba’s involvement in the Perkins part of Castlemaine Perkins Brewery.
Toowoomba’s food story takes us on an amazing and wonderful journey as it engages gourmets from all walks of life. Our new generation of food producers fare pushing boundaries and expanding markets – some better known overseas than they are here. And our growing multicultural community gives us event more reason to celebrate food as each culture brings new products, flavours, techniques, and experiences to the table.
To that end, The Source, is a celebration of our wonderful producer and many businesses who make a special contribution to the regions rich history, by forging and chasing their bold ambitions.
The Source is for you
Recognition of your unrelenting commitment as the food ambassadors of our region producing the highest quality food and beverage for us, the state, nation and beyond to consume.
Want to support these outstanding businesses who are integral to Toowoomba’s brand? Call the Toowoomba Chamber to grab your copy of The Source or check it out on line at www.toowoombachamber.com.au.
