A new champion for Queensland produce

8th October 2020 | Eativity editors

What began as a way to shift some surplus limes has become a bona fide Queensland success story. A new Far North Queensland fresh food delivery service, Tablelands to Tabletop, has been named as the state’s thirteenth #eatqld champion.

#eatqld champions are individuals, groups, organisations or products that promote Queensland produce locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. Member for Cook Cynthia Lui says Tablelands to Tabletop was chosen for its creative approach to delivering Atherton Tablelands produce to consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Angela Nason started Tablelands to Tabletop as a way to help her father sell his limes after restaurants, cafes and businesses were closed down due to COVID,” Lui says. “Harnessing the power of social media, Angela began selling boxes of limes as a healthy way to boost vitamin C but quickly saw her business grow as other farmers saw an opportunity to sell produce, such as dragonfruit, coconuts and avocados, rather than having it go to waste.”

Tablelands to Tabletop now buys produce from 30 local Atherton Tablelands farmers and delivers to customers on the Tablelands and Cairns, Karumba, Weipa and the Torres Strait, as well as local restaurants and cafes.

Angela Nason with some of her delicious and fresh Far North Queensland produce.

Tablelands to Tabletop founder Angela Nason says that being an #eatqld champion is a natural fit for someone who had built their business using social media.

“The response I received to shouting out to my friends was central to the success of Tablelands to Tabletop, so being an #eatqld champion seems a perfect way to promote the wonderful produce of Atherton Tablelands farmers,” she says.

“We’re blessed to have so much wonderful fresh food produced in this region, and I’m excited to be playing a part in seeing it get from the farm to the table. In these very different times, doing something to promote our wonderfully delicious local produce while supporting local farmers seems like a perfect way to contribute to the community.”

The rolling green pastures of the Atherton Tablelands are home to some of the nation’s best produce.

The Queensland Government’s #eatqld campaign encourages the community to eat local, stay healthy and support jobs in the state’s agricultural sector. Other #eatqld champions include Creek to Coast host Scott Hillier, Scenic Rim dairy farmer and agritourism advocate Kay Tommerup, Bowen horticulturalist Carl Walker and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Executive Chef, David Pugh.

To nominate someone as an #eatqld champion, email agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.au