Horowhenua's event calendar just got a little bit tastier with the announcement of the inaugural Horowhenua Taste Trail - a free taste trail showcasing nine Horowhenua specialist food producers and a farm tour.
Event co-organiser and spokesperson Catherine Lewis said they are delighted to establish the event in Horowhenua.
"Horowhenua boasts some excellent food producers, and we have wanted to create an event to showcase them for many years. I am just delighted we have launched it this year," she said.
The nine producers on the trail create and produce a variety of food and produce. They include RJ's Licorice, Woodhaven Gardens, Tendertips Asparagus, Genoese Pesto, Turks Poultry, Ōhau Wine, Woodys Free Range Farm, Levin Eels and Country Treats.
Visitors will be taken on a taste experience, from factory tours to gourmet food trucks and farm tours, showcasing the journey locally made food takes from paddock to plate, or factory to supermarket.
Go at your own pace and choose how many places to stop at along the way. Food and merchandise will be available for sale at each stop.
Mrs Lewis said they are expecting not only a huge number of locals to take part but also families and groups from Manawatu, Kapiti and the wider Wellington region.
"Horowhenua can only benefit from all these people seeing and experiencing what a wonderful lifestyle the district can offer, It's what Horowhenua Taste Trail aims to do - surprise, delight, and inform people about what we offer."
Mrs Lewis said Horowhenua offers some of the best produce in the country.
"And we want to share it, and show it off, so make sure you start the trail with an empty stomach."
The event is free and family friendly. More information about the trail and the producers can be found at Facebook Page @horowhenuatastetrail
- Horowhenua Taste Trail, November 12, 10am-4pm, free.
Things to taste:
• Woodhaven Gardens: A family-run commercial growing operation in excess of 1000 acres, recognised as an industry leader, producing and distributing vegetables.
• Tendertips Asparagus: One of the largest asparagus growers in New Zealand whose produce is enjoyed in New Zealand and Japan, a family run operation.
• RJ's Licorice: Locally made licorice known and enjoyed throughout New Zealand and the world.
• Genoese Pesto: A family-owned and operated local business, manufacturing premium pestos from herbs and all-natural ingredients.
• Turks Poultry: A family business in operation for 40-plus years producing corn-fed chicken products enjoyed throughout New Zealand.
• Ōhau Wine: Ōhau Wines has established itself in New Zealand and the world, well-known for its exceptional wines from Sauvignon Blanc to Rose.
• Woody's Free Range Farm: Produce free range heritage breed pork, bacon, sausages and ham locally from Large Black and Berkshire pigs bred on the farm.
• Levin Eels: A family-owned eel processing and export business, exporting live and processed eel to international markets.
• Country Treats: Freeze dried fruit and chestnuts from Country Treats and Horowhenua Freeze Dry based in Levin.
• Farm Tour: Keeling farm, a fifth generation family farm, located just out of Manakau, where visitors can walk through a working dairy farm and learn more about milk production and the farm's history.