We’re an innovative bunch up here on the Tablelands. You only need to take some time to meander your way from one end of the Tablelands to the other, and you’ll quickly see how much revolutionary creativity is on offer in this lush wonderland.
Why not plan a day, a weekend or entire week to visit – we’ve got so much to keep you entertained and satisfy your tastebuds.
As the veil of COVID-19 begins to lift further, we find not only ourselves, but so too many of those around us, have evolved to ensure business survives into the future.
I’m no stranger to evolution, innovation or change.
As one half of the duo that pioneered banana flour to the world, turning struggle into opportunity is something I know very well. While the world was going into lockdown and many of us taking up hobbies that we only ever dreamed we could find the time for, there were also those of us thinking how we could minimise the damage to our businesses and pivot them, so they were better prepared for the unknown future.
I’ve taken great delight in observing and getting to know a little bit more about the following Tablelands food innovators.
New Business | TABLELANDS TO TABLETOP
“Tablelands to Tabletop” is the brainchild of Tablelands local woman, Angela Nason, who has identified a gap in the market, and in the process, is helping both consumers and fresh produce growers.
The concept was born from the struggle of farmers losing their top-level supply chain into cafés, restaurants and the events scene.
When Angela’s dad asked her to help with selling his limes that no longer had a direct market, she gleefully posted them for sale on Facebook.
It wasn’t long until demand for the limes grew, and so did the opportunity of including other produce into the home-delivered fruit boxes, creating a celebration of brightly coloured Tablelands produce.
With boxes being delivered between Cairns and the Tablelands weekly, it’s the perfect opportunity to up your daily fruit and vege intake and support local growers and local businesses.
Check out this brilliant new service business:
W: tablelandstotabletop.com.au F: Tablelands to Tabletop I: @tablelandstotabletop
New Service | BARRON VALLEY HOTEL
140 years of history and The Barron Valley has now just about seen it all. Forced closures of its bar and restaurant and strict social distancing measures in place didn’t stop these locals finding a way to provide great customer service to their customers in a time of uncertainty and pick up a few new ones along the way.
Takeaway meals that started during lockdown have been so popular they will be here to stay! Phone ahead and pick up through the drive-through.
If enjoying a home-cooked meal at home without all the fuss and clean up doesn’t appeal to you how about a Bottomless Banquet? Yes, that’s right you and 19 friends can now enjoy one of Barron Valley dining rooms all to yourself with a 3-course meal, beer and wine for 2 hours.
Of course with restrictions easing you can now dine in and try their new menu. Booking ahead is recommended.
New Product | GUTHEALTH+
Krista and Rob Watkins, owners of Gut Health+ 3 in 1 Multifibre scientific formula and Invigor8 prebiotic powder.
Of course, during all of this, I’ve been doing what I do best with the Natural Evolution team – processing fruit and vegetables into high-quality nutritional powders and creating them into shelf-ready products to help improve the lives of people and animals.
COVID-19 has forced my partner Rob and me into creating a “slow and staggered roll out” of our latest creation GUTHEALTH+.
Of all the products we’ve created, this one has me more excited than ever before.
GUTHEALTH+ is an Australian first for symbiotic creation, meaning we’ve combined probiotics (good bacteria) with prebiotic (feeds good bacteria).
Initial research from the University of Tasmania is showing the product can significantly reduce symptoms of IBD and IBS, rebuild digestion and support a healthy microbiome and immune system. Even better is that you don’t need to keep it refrigerated, it’s in powder form, 100% from plants, can be used hot or cold as the probiotic only activates once it reaches your digestion and is proven to reach the large intestine alive. Available online and at all good health food retailers. For more information visit www.guthealthplus.com
F: GUTHEALTH+ I: @guthealthplus
For many food service businesses, the rebuild road will be long. There’ll be unexpected turns and possibly more structural damage to the surface. But, if there’s one thing that can be assured, it’s that we should never underestimate the power of dreams and the potential of the human spirit.
KRISTA WATKINS IS CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NATURAL EVOLUTION FOODS AND QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S #EatQld CHAMPION.