Taste Trail returns for a second bite

From the left is Pip Parkin, Erica Guy, Andrew Parkin, served by Waiopehu College student Lydia Morrison. WGP 29Nov17 -

Thousands flocked to Horowhenua at the weekend to celebrate the richness and diversity of all the food grown and produced in the "bite-sized" region.

The Horowhenua Taste Trail returned for a second year kicking off on Friday night with a cocktail party at Foxton's stunning new community hub, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom.

The party featured stunning local produce transformed into delicious canapés by renowned chef Ruth Pretty, accompanied by local wine.

There was excitement in the air as producers shared their stories of how they came to be based in Horowhenua, known as "the food basket of the lower North Island".

On Saturday those same producers opened the doors of their premises to provide a unique behind the scenes opportunity to sample delicious fresh produce at source.

On the trail were Turk's Corn Fed Free Range Poultry, Woody's Free Range Farm, RJ's Licorice, Thoroughbread Foods, Genoese Foods, Tendertips Asparagus and Levin Eel Trading.

Chairman of the Horowhenua Taste Trail, Antony Young, said this year they created a trust and added an entrance fee to make the event more sustainable. He said that with the Taste Trail they had struck "lightning in a bottle".

"People want to know about their food and where it comes from, they want to support locally grown and know the stories behind the business," he said.

"We unfortunately had to charge entry this year but I believe it's an affordable level and puts the heat on us to create a memorable experience. Horowhenua District Council launched the annual event last year, but had to bear the brunt of the financial cost of the free event."

This year Rabobank got on board as a sponsor of the Taste Trail, something the bank's regional manager Rua Crofskey said aligned with its story.

"Rabobank is a specialist food and agribusiness bank that encourages sustainable growth and prosperity at both a corporate and industry level, while demonstrating a wider commitment to society," she said.

Cam Lewis, director at Horowhenua asparagus producer Tendertips, told those at the cocktail party the area was "a bite-size community" that punched above its weight in terms of what it produced.