The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has become the latest Queensland food provider to be named as an #eatqld partner to promote Queensland's top-quality produce.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said having the BCEC partner with the #eatqld campaign was a perfect fit given the centre's proud heritage of sourcing and providing the very best of available and accessible local seasonal produce.
"It has never been more important for Queenslanders to support Queensland farmers and fishers by buying their produce," Mr Furner said.
"As we continue to manage our COVID-19 health response and we start to implement Queensland's plan for economic recovery, we need to honour and celebrate Queensland produce to support the many thousands of jobs that rely on it.
"The BCEC sources 80 per cent of its produce from Queensland including 100 per cent of its chicken, 90 percent of its beef and 80 per cent of its vegetables.
"The centre sources produce from the Far North of Queensland, west to Mitchell, east to the Fraser Coast and south to the New South Wales border.
"This partnership also strengthens our ties with the BCEC which is a registered supplier on the Queensland Government Food and Beverage Supplier Directory and a strong proponent of the Buy Queensland first initiative.
"Additionally, the Centre's Executive Chef David Pugh, a former Queensland Ambassador Chef and passionate advocate for local produce, was named in November 2019 as Queensland's second #eatqld Champion."
Mr Furner said the #eatqld partnership with the BCEC would help spread the word about the safe and nutritious produce from Queensland's vibrant and robust agriculture sector.
"The BCEC's entire food philosophy is built around the culture and practices of sourcing and showcasing Queensland seasonal produce to customers and guests," Mr Furner said.
"The BCEC joins others including Woolworths, Clubs Queensland, Eat Street Northshore and the RNA to make sure the #eatqld message was on everyone's menu.
"I thank them for their support and encourage other Queensland businesses to get on-board with this fabulous initiative.
When you support Queensland produce you support jobs right across the state."
BCEC General Manager, Bob O'Keeffe said the Centre was proud to partner with the #eatqld campaign, continuing its support for the state's finest producers and local growers.
"The partnership comes at a time when the Centre recently celebrated a strategic milestone – 25 years as a major contributor to Queensland's economy and Brisbane's profile as a leading business events destination," Mr O'Keefe said.
"The Centre has recently introduced a new menu, which is engineered to accommodate new service regulations and is at the forefront of culinary trends, driven by ethical, seasonal and regional values.
"We feature Queensland produce as the hero product of our menus, giving assurance to customers and clients of a uniquely authentic taste of local cuisine."
BCEC joins The Ekka, Woolworths, Clubs Queensland and Eat Street Northshore Markets as official #eatqld partners.
New #eatqld Champions named
Mr Furner also announced that a further five Queenslanders had been named #eatqld Champions, recognising their standing as significant contributors to promoting Queensland's world of flavour from the state of delicious.
"These latest #eatqld champions represent an a la carte menu of producers and retailers covering all of Queensland from the border to Cairns," Mr Furner said.
The new #eatqld Champions are:
- Marshall Betzel – Queensland Seafood Marketers Association President
- Will Wilson - AgForce Cattle President and fourth generation cattle producer
- Fraser Isle Spanner Crabs – Sunshine Coast export business owned by Les and Lynn Apps
- Terry Nolan – Nolan Meats at Gympie
- Kay Tommerup – Sixth generation dairy farmer and entrepreneur on the Scenic Rim
Previous #eatqld Champions include Creek to Coast host Scott Hillier, Walkamin entrepreneur Krista Watkins, Bowen horticulturalist Carl Walker, and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre's Executive Chef David Pugh.
Mr Furner said everyone could do their bit to support Queensland producers by stocking up on Queensland-produced meat, seafood, fruit, nuts and vegies.
"The agriculture and fisheries sector contributes significantly to Queensland's economy, with more than 88 per cent of the state used for agricultural production and tens of thousands of Queenslanders employed", Mr Furner said.
To nominate a producer or retailer as a #eatqld partner or somebody as a #eatqld Champion email
