More than 500 visitors streamed into the various farms, tours and cafes along the route, enjoying the local produce along with a side of education.

Visits were constant at Topi Open Range Farm, keeping Chef Sarah, Little Creek Farm, Nadine the Cake Queen, Palms Micro Bakery and The Natural Deodorant busy with customers.  

Sue Williams, who runs Topi, had her famous pasture-raised chicken eggs on sale, and visitors were able to meet the chicks as well as her Alpacas.  

Lucy Land at Bulahdelah was kept busy showing off the new lambs and the staff at Brush Turkey Cafe at Wootton were rushed off their feet with orders at the cafe all day.  

Great Lakes Paddocks Vineyard served hundreds of platters to go with the delicious Elkins Oysters, all washed down with a cool, crisp white wine.

Elena Swegen from Burraduc Buffalo Dairy, and Artisan Cheeses at Bungwahl conducted three educational tours and tastings as part of the trail with around 100 bookings on each tour. 

People waiting to take the tour were treated to hot chocolates and coffee made with the creamy buffalo milk, served by Kingfisher Cafe mobile coffee cart.

There were two newcomers to the trail, including Bungwahl Primary School, which opened the kids’ Bush Tucker Garden, part of their award-winning Stephanie Alexander Kitchen garden program.

With student led garden tours and food prepared and served straight from the garden in the canteen, as well as tours of the Permaculture Patch, this was a much loved addition to the spring food trail.  

The other addition was Dar Jannah Farm at Charlotte Bay, which opened its doors to showcase its organic farm produce and miniature Galloway cows, as well as a bioponics system, which fascinated the many visitors on the day.