Organic Empire

A Regional Providore to inspire us all. Whether you are interested in supporting your local farmers, ordering a foodbox, learning how to cook, eating organically or looking for an alternative to the big supermarkets Organic Empire has it all.

And if you want some re-use, recycling inspiration then look no further.

If your community is looking to set up local food projects this is a great place to start for ideas. And if you live in the neighborhood, drop in and say hello.

Listen to the conversation with Angela for yourself.

Olives

There are olives and then there are olives and then there is Gwydir Grove.

Started in 1996, Gwydir Grove is one of Australia's leading producers of premium olive oil. Available at a range of outlets, farmers markets and online discover the joys of real olive oil.

Famous for its fruit, its oils and other produce, join Margi Kirky as she tells us about what to look for when we are buying olive products.

Download the program and listen yourself.

Woodfire Bread

Tucked into the laneway next to the Federal Hotel is one of Bellingen's real treats - Woodfire Bread. Made organically using traditional methods the bread from here is a real joy - and the way bread should be. It is a bonus that Woodfire Bread preference local food when sourcing ingredients.

You can also stop in at the cafe for a coffee, a snack or light meal or grab one of the delicious chef-baked pies as a takeaway.

Stay tuned as their website is being launched at the end of the month. Drop in to the bakery if you are in town or catch them at Toast Urunga on Sunday 2 September 2012.

You can also catch what will hopefully be the first chat of many with owner and baker Dave through the download.

Bago Vineyards

A visit to Bago Vineyards is a real treat with a vista worthy of postcards, jazz on the second Sunday of each month, a cafe and of course the wines!

Coming later this year is the opening of the lillypilly maze with over 2 km of pathways.

And if that isn't enough, their environmental policy is enough to make many of their competitors sit up and take note. The bottle return policy (take back a Bago Vineyards bottle when you buy the next one and receive a $1 discount) is particularly innovative but there is also the use of solar power, the recycling of waste and the rainforest regeneration are all worthy of note.

Visit Bago Vinery in Wauchope, find them at this year's Toast Urunga or buy online.

Hear Jim chat with Pearl on today's Passionfruit and Chilli.

Me-Healthy Farm

Another example of the Regional Providore's that provides both a service and an inspiration, Me-Healthy Farm is located at 147 Upper Orara Road in Karangi.Open each Friday and Sunday from 10 am - 2 pm Me-Healthy Farm is a great place to get your fruit and vegetables, herbs and nuts as well as seeds and seedlings. You can also stop by the cafe, check out the gift shop, meet the farm animals and tour the vegetable garden.

Like Me-Healthy Farm's Facebook page to find out what is in season, check out the photos, keep up with the news of the Farm and, in the next few months, discover information on the up-coming workshops.

Got extra produce for sale, Me-Healthy are also looking for more farmers and growers to join in the fun.

Sam joined Pearl in the Passionfruit and Chilli kitchen for a yarn about Me-Healthy Farm. You can listen in here.

Image from Me-Healthy Farm's Facebook page

Rainfed Rice

Slater Farms in Casino wins three big ticks for their product:

• it is local, 
• it is biodynamic and 
• it is rainfed (thus avoiding the problems associated with irrigation).

Check out the website for your local stockists or to find out more of the story of this exciting venture.

For more information on biodynamics, swing by Demeter Bio-dynamic Agriculture in Australia or follow the links from the Slater Farms page.

Braidwood Made

The Old Cheese factory in Reisdale provides a range of services to local producers from an apple press to a commercial kitchen, function room and design studio.

They also sell a long list of local produce that includes cider, wine, pickles, relishes, sauces and jams.

And if that wasn't enough there are also artisan workshops including bread, cheese and sausage making.

Buying local becomes easier when are there places like The Old Cheese Factory in communities and this segment is the first in a periodic series where we focus on businesses and services that are making it easier for people to buy local foods.

Byron Bay Chilli Company

Surely one of the best chilli sauce makers in the world - with an almost complete set of international awards to prove it - Byron bay Chilli's are also home to salsa and corn chips. Drop by their website to check out your local suppliers, buy some delights online or check out a great range of recipes. And if you would like someone else to do the cooking, and you are in Byron Bay, swing by OzyMex - it is just by the main roundabout, you can't miss it!

For listeners closer to Bellingen, swing by and meet John and co, have a taste and a chat at the weekend's Sawtell Chilli Festival. And if you aren't a big chilli fan, drop by anyway as Sawtell's First Avenue explodes with food, entertainment and color.

Bush Tucker Shack

Photo of some of the foods mentioned in today's show (clockwise from top left): crayfish, pipis, riberry, lemon myrtle, lily pily, macadamias, damper. For more info check out the Bush Tucker Shack Facebook page.

Links for the photos: Lily Pily, Crayfish, Riberry, Lemon Myrtle, Pipis, Damper, Macadamias

Rosoli and Rosolio

David Scott from the Red Dirt Distillery introduces us to the delectable drops of Pistachio Rosoli and Quince Rosolio.

For more information or to order your own check out the website

Mayfield Farm in May

What a joy to visit Mayfield Farm and see pigs living as pigs should and doing as pigs do - without the smell and high-pitched squeal of factory farms. Pigs tasking like pigs was also a bonus.

If you are interested in ordering a pork pack, some bacon, sausages or just want to find out more, check out the Mayfield Farm Produce website or call Ian on 6657 6050 or Sandra on 6657 6051.

Bush Tucker Shack

You can contact Sue from the Bush Tucker Shack on Facebook or find them at the Dorrigo markets (first Saturday of the month) or the Woolgoolga markets (second Saturday of the month).

The Quarmby's are legends (says me) and if you want to find out more you can check out the Landline interview or their website. You can also follow up Mark Olive here.

Sue mentioned a recipe for Wattleseed, Chicken and Macadamia curry. Sue talked about adapting the recipe to suit her but a great starting point if you wanted to make your own is this recipe.

Bellingen Chillies

There is more to the world of chillis than the standard cayenne, or the burning mouth feel.

Bellingen Chillies is on a mission to introduce the palates of Australia to a range of tropical chillies ranging from the very sweet to the mildly warm and coming in all colours of the rainbow.

Grown organically in Brierfield Bellingen Chillies produces a wide range of pastes, smoked, marinated and dried products, all picked and packed weekly.

Products are available at the local markets or online and yes, they are very easy to eat.

Red Dirt Distillery

Dorrigo's own Red Dirt Distillery is special for so many reasons - they are Australia's only potato vodka manufacturer, they provide a unique tourist experience right in the main street of town, they produce a very high  quality product, and they use Dorrigo's very own (not so humble) spud the Sebago grown in the rich red dirt of the plateau.

And is the vodka isn't enough to excite you - check out their outstanding range of liqueurs including the Alloro, Centrbe, Noncini and Rosolio available in store or online.

Hafla Gourmet Dips

Made locally using the best ingredients possible, Halfa Gourmet Dips are enough to get the tastebuds watering.

And don't limit yourself to just eating the dips with a biscuit or carrot stick - what about stirring through pasta as the base of a quick and easy meal, adding them to stir-frys, using the dips instead of butter in your sandwiches - you are only limited by your imagination.

And when you visit the website, don't forget to leave your feedback - let Alon know what you thought of the product, or even send him a photo of the feast, party or casual get together where it was enjoyed.

Hafla is a great local company available in stores from Sydney to Brisbane.

Byron Beans

Passionfruit and Chilli is passionate about supporting local growers - and even better when they are award winning and organic! So for all coffee lovers, check out Byron Beans

Byron Beans is family owned and 100% Australian. They have been growing coffee on their  farm since 1999 in the Byron Bay hinterland.

Available at Kombu and Fullers if you live in Bellingen, the Spar supermarket if you live in Dorrigo and online if you live anywhere else. Order online or check out other Australian stockist.

Byron Beans is local. And they are award winning ..... and they are orgnaic.

Making Fresh Cheese

Local cheesemaker May Smith recommends Cheeselinks as a great place to get you started, and to get ongoing supplies.

For more information on today's interview please contact May Smith 0409125818

Just as wines have Protected Regional Status (ie Champagne only comes form a specific region in France, the rest of the world has sparkling wine) so do cheeses. This article is a good starting point if you want more information.

Want to know more about rennet you can try here.

There is a plethora of information out there on cheese, Protected Regional Status and rennet so while these links are great starting points, feel welcome to let your fingers to the walking to find out more.

Image from Tikachu's Kitchen

Hot Chilli Mama

Angelika began cooking at a very early age and has perfected the art with her Hot Chilli Mama range of condiments ranging for the very fiery Kick Arse Chilli through to the delectable ranges of mustards and pesto.

Catch Hot Chilli Mama at the Bellingen Growers Market or call 6655 2808 for the opportunity to visit Angelika at home.

Raleigh Vineyard and Winery

Vinny Dingle is the perfect host at Raleigh Vineyard and Winery - she not only grows the grapes but she blends the wine and knows a thing or two about both.

Raleigh Vineyard and Winery produces 7 different wines: Fox Gully Dry White, Rose, Bellarosa, Late Harvest, Riverbank Red, Sir Walter's Secret Raleigh Starboard and the Raleigh Brandy Creme.

Drop in for a wine tasting and learn a thing or two about grapes.

Polly's Pantry

Polly's Pantry provides a range of preserves to tickle the tastebuds of the most discerning foodie. A particular favorite of this blogger is the Chilli Beetroot Relish.

Perfect to include in a sandwich, as an accompaniment to a main meal or to eat with cheese.

Catch Polly at a local market near you, email her at pollywalton2010@hotmail.com or call 0429 547 738 for more information.