A PASSIONATE group of food lovers is working hard to connect Central Victorian producers with venues.<\/p>\n
The Food Fossickers group was formed in the mid-2000s with the goal of putting local food on local plates.<\/p>\n
Since its formation, the group has promoted restaurants and bars, put on food tours, and held events.<\/p>\n
President Sarah Lowe said it was no surprise to see Bendigo named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s such an honour to be recognised for our gastronomy here in Bendigo and what I love about it is it\u2019s more than having great places to eat out, we have fantastic places to eat out, but it\u2019s a bigger picture than that too,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got these wonderful food producers; it encompasses everyone and the whole process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Lowe said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group increased its online presence, and turned its attention towards hampers and working with producers at the Farmers Market.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done lots of hampers to give people a chance to support local in their own homes, we put together all bits of pieces in that to give people a taste. It\u2019s been a great way to get names into people\u2019s homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
On 8 October the group received $20,000 to host 16 food events and activities throughout Central Victoria through the latest round of the Federal Government\u2019s Building Better Regions Fund.<\/p>\n
Ms Lowe said some of the money will also go towards a cookbook.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cookbook will be around our local chefs cooking with local produce, but it will also be a bit of a storytelling book as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll get a chance to find out the amazing stories we have behind our producers. That\u2019s what I think makes our region so special, there\u2019s incredible stories and people doing incredible things behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n