Farm gates are a great way to source fresh, local produce and increasingly, farm gates are also the place to shop for gourmet produce as well - or learn how to be the gourmet in the farm gate kitchens. One of the most fabulous things about farm gates is their access to unique produce. Bush tucker, prickly pears, figs and all kinds of meats, wines and game. Without a little help however, sometimes it’s hard to know quite what to do with some of these produce prizes. Farm gates are increasingly putting their money where their produce is and offering more - everything from their own gourmet delicacies to cooking classes that teach you how to take fresh local produce and turn it into a memorable meal or simply the basic staples of bread, cheese and preserve making. Farm gates like Leppington Valley Farm sell their own fresh figs and prickly pears, as well as an amazing range of farm made gourmet treats. From caramelised fig and balsamic dressing to fig jam and chocolate dipped dried figs, Leppington Valley Farm is showing just how gourmet a farm gate can be. And they will even teach you how to prepare prickly pear.Drysdale Goat Cheeses specializes in delicious goat’s milk products like chevre, curd, fetta and yoghurt. Drysdale also operates cheese making courses throughout the year, so you can learn how to create your own gourmet cheeses at home. 2 Mac’s Farm provides local, raw honey sourced from the farm’s very own beehives. The farm gate also offers free range eggs, seasonal fruits and vegetables, chutneys, jams and relishes. Cooking classes are run in the farm's kitchen so you can learn from the best at how to turn fresh local produce into amazing meals at home.
To find your nearest farm gate, search Farm Gates and Trails.Image: HandmadePictures/Shutterstock