Family, farm and festival: Wandering farmer to spread the word at Farmer on Your Plate in Fremantle

The eleventh annual Farmer on Your Plate event in Fremantle next month will be the biggest yet with 40 exhibitors set to give their city cousins the opportunity to meet with producers and sample a range of regional produce. Wandering-based beef farmer and chairwoman of Farming Champions Nicola Kelliher said that the food festival will also be a celebration of the families working hard on WA farms to feed the Nation. “The event will showcase outstanding Western Australian produce and remind us that WA farming families have an enormous role to play in the production of safe and high-quality food,” she said. “We must all continue to support and recognise the role farming families have in food production and remember that in many ways they are the stewards of the land for future generations.” Governor of WA Chris Dawson will be speaking at the event along with Ms Kelliher and Wheatbelt producers Cambinata Yabbies, Wandering Clover Fed Beef and Dumbleyung Landcare who will feature at the farmers’ market-style event alongside exhibitors from across the regions. “The format of Farmer on Your Plate encourages the community to learn about where their food comes from,” Ms Kelliher said. “When people in the community make choices about the quality of the food they eat, they in turn are likely to eat healthier food. “Children are encouraged to come along and learn about the origin of their food. The best quality seasonal food sometimes comes direct from small farms rather than large supermarkets.” A Walk, Talk and Taste the Regions tour will be a highlight of the festival with some of Perth’s top chefs preparing food on-site and providing samples while raising food awareness and encouraging consumers to support local producers and product. Farmer on Your Plate will be opened by WA Minister for Agriculture Jackie Jarvis at the Esplanade in Fremantle at 10.20am on November 4.