COMMERCE Ballarat is serving up a new initiative aimed at getting the community to support hospitality venues and producers ahead of this year\u2019s International Bacon Day.<\/p>\n
Their latest in a string of food-related campaigns, #GetPorkyBallarat involves some 20 businesses, each with their own pork themed dish for locals to enjoy.<\/p>\n
CEO of Commerce Ballarat Jodie Gillett said each campaign was about getting people to spend close to home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to stimulate some spending into our local businesses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the hospitality business though, it\u2019s really important that people understand that when they purchase food from a hospitality venue, they\u2019re supporting their suppliers, producers and farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important that it\u2019s seen as a holistic way of supporting certain business industries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Participating venues include Table 48, Freight Bar and Restaurant and Brown Hill Hotel, amongst many others.<\/p>\n
Drive Cafe in Golden Point is offering a special edition burger loaded with beef, bacon, cheese, pickles and kewpie mayo as part of the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the bacon is the hero of the dish,\u201d said owner Sam Fraser. \u201cWe have fantastic bacon supplied by Country Style Smallgoods who are a local provider of all our meat products.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Fraser said Drive had received \u201cfantastic community support\u201d throughout lockdowns, and campaigns like #GetPorkyBallarat allowed the venue to add something different to the menu.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice in this time of lockdown to have a bit of a theme and to have a bit of a special so people have a reason to visit,\u201d Ms Fraser said.<\/p>\n
Ms Gillett said while the current campaign didn\u2019t cater to every dietary preference, each one is about \u201cfinding that hook that can be interesting and a bit of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also said people could make their dollar count locally this Father\u2019s Day with a takeaway meal or gift from a Ballarat retailer, with Commerce Ballarat curating a gift guide on the organisation\u2019s Facebook and Instagram pages.<\/p>\n