Another Feather in our Journey of Flavour Cap

Hastings Valley produce tops the State! 

RICARDOES MAKES IT A HAT TRICK!

Ricardoes Tomatoes and Strawberries has taken out "best tomatoes" at the Sydney Royal Easter show for the third year running.

Co-owner Anthony Sarks was notified on the opening day of the show today (April 14) that the Blackmans Point farm’s consignment of tomatoes for the 2011 event had once more been awarded "best tomatoes in NSW and south-east Queensland" in the iconic District Exhibits Competition.

Ricardoes first entered the competition in 2009 and has now taken out the honours every year since. In awarding the title, judges have consistently praised the high quality of Ricardoes’ produce.

The win comes just as Ricardoes has added a new tomato soup to its range of award-winning preserves, in time for the cooler months. Its range of 26 jams and relishes has been selling widely beyond the Hastings since the farm began offering online ordering on its ricardoes.com website two months ago.

Issued by PORT P.R. April 14 2011 on behalf of Ricardoes. Inquiries: Susie Boswell, 0411 040 888; Anthony Sarks 6585 0663.

Farmers Market Feedback

This letter was received today from Grace Connor regarding the Farmers Market.

"I have moved here from the far north coast and use to love going to the renowned markets in Byron Bay and Bangalow for their diverse range of quality goods and food on offer.  I have to say that the Laurieton and Port Macquarie Artists/Farmers Market are as good as, if not better in my view than those up north I use to visit.

I know Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is constantly looking to improve the facilities and times local producers and artists can set up and sell goods to the public, ie the Town Green combined markets and the Glasshouse twilight markets, both of which I thought were great.

I was recently at the Bellingen markets and feel that most of the markets in this area are so much better than Bellingen, which was a surprise to me as Bellingen is so famous for being a great market.  I know people make the trip from places such as Tamworth and Armidale just to go to them.

In short, I believe we have some fantastic local producers and artists that support and attend our markets and I would just like to say keep up the good work re promoting and developing our region and what we have to offer."