Organic Farmer of the Year, pesto is back, a warm congratulations, a special thanks, and shiny new content.
Goodness. It’s November. Spring is a month down (not that you’d know in some parts of the state) and the busiest time of the year has fully taken hold. We’ve mentioned that it is asparagus season, and we’ll be coming into stonefruit season soon enough. Know what other season it is right now? Awards Season. Join us in a big congratulations to Harvest’s very own (along with FermenTas, Farmgate et. al.) Sue Glynn of KimchiMe for her nomination as Organic Farmer of the Year from Australian Certified Organics. ACO is the country’s peak organics body. Sue’s nomination is not only well deserved but representative of the brilliance at Harvest, and farming in Tasmania generally. Congrats Sue!
The next good ol’ fashioned congratulations we need to offer is to Michael Lees of Windara Orchard on a well-deserved retirement! Although we’re super sad to see his apples departing from the market, we’re very excited for Michael to be stepping into a new chapter, and what is hopefully a very long and very relaxing retirement. Michael and Windara have been fixtures of the market since inception, and this truly is the end of an era for Michael, and for us at Harvest. So good for you Micheal, big congratulations on all your achievements, and all the very best for your next chapter.
Pasta Nirvana
Our next tidbits probably don’t need the word congratulations, but they deserve a celebration nonetheless. Our friend and yours, Graeme at Thirlstane Gardens’ is rocking up this week with the first batch of their incredible basil pesto for the season! Seriously, this should get your attention. We are entirely sceptical of every single jar of “basil” pesto ever on the shelves of a supermarket. With good reason too. They’re awful. Quite the opposite with Thirlstane Gardens’ pesto. This stuff, Rhys readily admits, is better than his usual efforts. A truly great product and the easiest, most delicious bowl of pasta you’ve ever knocked up. For real, just this pesto, some fresh pasta, a drizz of lemon and some diced fresh tomato… Pasta Nirvana.
Also, our friend and yours, Mr. Dave ‘Rockstar’ Rockey and Allison (aka A-Rock) of Takin’ It Home fame are bringing you…wait for it… Scallop pies! How on earth we’ve come ten years into Harvest Market, called ourselves Tasmanian and not had a scallop poie in sight is beyond us. Thankfully that egregious error has been corrected now, thanks to the hard work and passion of the Rockstars. Hot and fresh of chilled for your enjoyment at a later time, these things are going to be ace, we’re certain.
You’re Special
We’ve also had some shiny new content land on our desks, courtesy of Junction Arts Festival! They dropped our media pack from the Sunday Recovery Brunch on us this week, and it’s ace. Giving it a flick through and remebering what a great day we had was a delight. Just when you thought you’d heard the last of them for the season, they go and offer up something of this calibre to use for the rest of the year. Incredible and we can’t thank them enough! Special shout outs and all the best to Jess on her next big thing.
Last, we have to offer a big and very special thanks to you, the Harvest community for your warm and heartening support after our tragic new from last week. It has been a tough couple of weeks, to be sure. Feeling the community come together to grieve and talk was special. We know there are no silver linings here. But your response to, and support of our difficult message was overhwhelming. We thank you for that from the bottom of our hearts.
Ok. That’s it. All business today. It’s November, no time for stuffing around. Market to run.