Hampton delights festival goers
WALNUTS from up the road, rhubarb from down the farm and honey from the local beekeeper.
Such is the diversity of the rich soil in and around Hampton.
The region's fresh produce was on show yesterday at the Hampton High Country Food and Arts Festival.
Local grower and garden writer Justin Russell said the region's diversity and scale of the produce available was an amazement to visitors.
Mr Russell organised the festival's local produce stall which featured bushels of herbs, assorted leafy greens and salad vegies.
"Every year it just gets bigger," Mr Russell said.
"Sixty per cent of what we have is local from Crows Nest, Highfields, Ravensbourne, but we also have produce from Oakey, Felton, the Lockyer Valley and Gympie.
"Hampton is a lot of small, mixed farms whereas other areas on the Downs are broad acre.
"Our aim is to push the local produce line. One thing we have done this year is to create a market for the small, local farmers.
"We buy their produce at a decent price and give the producers the opportunity of selling (at the stall)."
The hot seller at this year's festival was the rhubarb with over 200 bunches selling during the course of the day.
Other highlights of the one-day festival included cooking demonstrations by popular celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow, which were supported by local artist Kym Breeze who painted during the demonstrations, live music and an art exhibition.
