When people think about the Camden Haven, images of beaches, the view from North Brother Mountain, fishing, and a laid-back holiday spring to mind.
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The marketing of this slice of our patch of paradise in the Port Macquarie-Hastings as a tourist destination conveys a picturesque ideal.
Local farmers in the Camden Haven support the gourmet lifestyle by producing fresh produce and supplying not only our local community but larger stores and top restaurants further afield.
The Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce, with the help of the Camden Haven Show Society, is putting a face to farming by producing a series of videos.
The series will launch on Thursday December 10 at The Fernery at Diamond Waters, in Dunbogan and will be attended by local farmers, business people, MPs and dignitaries.
"Four local farmers generously agreed to be part of the campaign," said the chamber's executive officer Megan Philippa.
"We hope this series will show the gourmet food bowl of the Camden Haven. I'm sure local people will feel proud about what is being produced here. The aim is to educate people about farming in our region, connect with local producers and seek out the local businesses who stock Camden Haven grown products.
"As we share the videos further online, we hope to draw attention to the amazing quality of our products as well as the talents and passion of our local farmers."
Challenges presented by years of drought followed by bushfires, then floods saw local farmers looking forward to a positive new year for 2020.
While farming operations could still carry on relatively as normal during the global COVID-19 pandemic, many of their customers who run restaurants and cafes suddenly closed for a lengthy period.
"When supply chains further afield are affected, it is particularly important that people support local businesses as much as possible," Megan said.
"Businesses in the Camden Haven are passionate about our region and are champions of local produce.
"People now, more than ever, are conscious about where food comes from and how it's treated from paddock to plate.
"Our campaign is aimed to help businesses and farmers connect with each other and the community."
The campaign is supported by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and jointly funded under the Commonwealth and New South Wales Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund.
The farmers featured in the video series are Ana and Sven Martin from Amber Drop Honey, Rob, Brandon and Jason Armstrong from Armstrong Oysters, Col Cowan a dairy farmer producing Farmer's Own milk, and Season Gleeson, a beef farmer.
The farmers will be attending the launch event to talk about their produce, farming, connecting with local products and why it is vital to keep farmers working.
Camden Haven businesses also appear in the videos as proud stockists. "Anything that is grown locally is always better," said Staffan Andler, owner of Kew Corner Store.
"The flavour is better. I think they put a bit of extra love in it."
After the launch, the videos can be seen at www.camdenhavenchamber.org and on the chamber's Facebook page.
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