Looking for locally sourced green garlic powder, pastured pork, small-batch craft spirits or Aussie-grown cocoa? Industry leaders are making the fine food forage even easier as they open their ‘little black book,’ launching a new online directory that will connect producers, chefs and foodies alike.
The innovative new site, which is the brainchild of Straight To The Source, highlights the wares of both Australian and New Zealand producers, providing search functionality by brand and other product attributes, offering a resource for cooks and foodies who want to find quality local produce and producers.
The female-fronted company, founded by industry experts Tawnya Bahr, Lucy Allon and newly appointed Marketing Director Monique Emmi, has been connecting food service professionals with Australia’s diverse food growing regions and their producers since 2012.
The trio has pooled 60 years of combined experience and contacts, creating an online platform that could quickly become the leading independent produce destination of its kind. It is this experience and unparalleled market connection that Lee Towle, from Longview Garlic in New South Wales’ Southern Tablelands, was drawn to.
“This is more than a directory for me. The Straight To The Source team are helping producers gain access to markets that they’d like to connect to. Knowing my brand will be seen by the people that matter, and having a network of influential experts at my disposal who are dedicated to bridging the gap between producers, chefs and consumers, is invaluable,” said Towle.
With a growing number of founding members, the directory is now welcoming new producers who wish to be listed on the site.
“We’ve been hearing for years what a challenge it is for producers to get their product, brand or destination in front of the right people, and we’ve always been focused on telling the incredible stories of some of the best food & beverage brands in the country,” said co-founder Tawnya. We now have the technology to connect the two and bring our renowned offering to life,” Tawnya continued.
The directory is free to use. It will appeal to those wanting to be on the forefront of food and beverage innovation and learn more about their local producers. Users will be able to peruse a brand’s ‘profile’, giving them detailed product information, contact details, stockists and key accolades among other things.
“Consumers are more curious than ever about the provenance and quality of their food. The site is a resource which will help people find ingredients and products as well as learn about where they are from and the people who grow, make or harvest them,” said co-founder Lucy.
“This directory can help you find some really unique products from emerging industries. We have growers producing cocoa in Cairns and vanilla in the Bloomfield River Valley. And if you can’t find something, we can help you source it,” Lucy continued.
For more information:
Straight To The Source
www.straighttothesource.com.au