Producers and suppliers from Hawkesbury and surrounds gathered at Kurrajong Kitchen's premises in South Windsor on Friday, November 20, to celebrate National Ag Day by sharing a ploughman's-style long table lunch.
Hawkesbury suppliers included Kaycie and Rob De Celis of Kombi Keg from Pitt Town, John Saliba of Glenburnie Family Farms in Kurmond, along with representatives from Enniskillen Orchard, Bilpin Cider, Hillbilly Cider, Richmond Fruit Market, Sandra's Fine Foods and Hawkesbury Harvest.
Kurrajong Kitchen is owned and run by Bowen Mountain residents Ben and Karen Lebsanft.
Mrs Lebsanft said Kurrajong Kitchen had been proudly supporting Australian wheat farmers since 1993.
"Partnerships have been key to our business. We value our community. Unless you turn up and support us and support the Australian farmer none of us would be here," she said.
Mrs Lebsanft also showed the crowd a bunch of wheat which came from the first crop her Walgett-based wheat supplier had turned over in four years, due to the droughts.
Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman thanked the growers and suppliers in the area, and Kurrajong Kitchen for hosting the event.
"We're all lucky to be part of something that celebrates the agriculture that the Hawkesbury was built on," Ms Templeman said.
"Kurrajong Kitchen is a real testament to the perseverance and determination to make things in Australia."
Earlier that day, Ms Templeman had been hosting Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Ed Husic, on a peri-urban tour of Bilpin, which included stops at Hillbilly Cider, Bilpin Cider and the Bilpin Fruit Bowl.
Mr Husic also addressed the crowd at the long table lunch, claiming that National Ag Day celebrated the jobs of 350,000 people and the value of agriculture in our country.
"I just wanted to thank you all for what you do," Mr Husic said.
"To be able to see first-hand how people [in fire-affected areas] are rebuilding and the challenges they are facing one year on from the fires is important.
"It is important we all continue to buy local."