THE verdict is in: North Queensland produce is delicious.
The state finalists of the annual 2020 delicious Harvey Norman produce awards have been announced with seven northern producers praised for their efforts.
Mungalli Creek Dairy, based at Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tablelands, is a finalist in the dairy section for their Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Quark.
Vanilla beans grown by Bloomfield Vanilla at Degarra in the Far North are finalists in the earth category, alongside Fruit Forest Farm at Feluga for their seasonal tropical fruit (abiu).
Dan and Leanne Cordner, of Bellasato Farm at Ingham are finalists for their Sommerlad chicken. They were finalists in the same category in 2018.
Mossman River goat farmers, Shannonvale Chevon, are also finalists for their meat.
Kurrimine Beach fisherman Chris Bolton is again a finalist in the sea section for his seasonal wild catch (garfish). He won the national award for his wild red emperor last year.
Ben and Coralie Collison, of Collinson Reef Fish, are also finalists for their seasonal wild catch - coral trout caught off the Great Barrier Reef. They too were national gold medalists last year.
Nation-wide, 124 producers have received state awards. Their produce will be tasted at home by the Sydney-based judges to decide the gold medal and trophy winners ahead of the awards in October.
Delicious editor-in-chief Kerrie McCallum said there had never been a more important time to support Australian producers.
"The delicious Harvey Norman Produce Awards are committed to celebrating new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment," Ms McCallum said.
