World-Famous Carrot Ice Cream Returns to Winter Harvest Festival Celebrating 101 Years of Moffatt Family Farming in the Scenic Rim
What do you get when you blend 101 years of farming know-how held by fifth generation veggie farmers the Moffat family, a deep love of the land, and a dash of sweet, creamy, carroty creativity? A one-of-a-kind Carrot Ice Cream that has become a must-try treat at the Scenic Rim's Winter Harvest Festival, the finale event for the famous Eat Local Month.
For 101 years, the Moffatt family has tilled the rich, alluvial soils of Tarome in the Scenic Rim, growing the carrots, onions, pumpkins, and celery that grace tables across Australia and beyond. Today, the fifth generation keeps that legacy alive—honouring their roots while delighting festival-goers with their now-famous Carrot Ice Cream created in collaboration with Lick.
"The Carrot Ice Cream is our tribute to the generations before us, and to the community that has supported us," said Steve Moffatt, who—along with brothers John and Mitchell—heads up Moffatt Fresh Produce. "The ice cream is just one small way we celebrate our roots and share a piece of our story with festival-goers."
The famous treat is ONLY available at the Winter Harvest Festival each year – this year to held on June 28 in the stunning village of Kalbar.
The Moffatts' success didn't happen by accident. Their great-grandfather Robert Moffatt picked Tarome for its strategic location near Brisbane markets and ports—an insight that continues to pay dividends today. "They were thinking about the future even then," said Steve. "That's the legacy they left us—solid ground to stand on and a community to grow with."
While the Moffatts' crops feed millions, they remain a family business at heart. "We grow it, we pick it, we pack it, we freight it," Steve explained. "There's not one part of the business that a family member doesn't touch."
It's this unwavering commitment—to family, community, and quality—that makes their story stand out. It's not just another tale of generational farming; it's a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the – sometime sweet and delicious - rewards of hard work.
WINTER HARVEST FESTIVAL – JUNE 28: Ready, Set, Esky! The much-loved Winter Harvest Festival is the perfect flavour-finale to Scenic Rim Eat Local Month, Australia's most authentic paddock to plate food and farming celebration. As the signature event of Eat Local Month, it's the golden ticket to taste the very best of the Scenic Rim's seasonal bounty, sip local wines, beers, and spirits, and get the dirt on where food really comes from—all while soaking up unbeatable country hospitality in the stunning village of Kalbar and surrounds.
Winter Harvest Festival - Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
CARROT CAPITAL – Time to Get Carrot-Away! 🥕
🥕 The Scenic Rim proudly claims the title of Australia's Carrot Capital, with local farmers growing a whopping 600 million carrots every year. Laid end to end, that's enough to circle the globe 2.5 times!
🥕 Carrots are overachievers in the field, taking just 100–120 days to grow from seed to crunchy perfection.
🥕 Packed with beta-carotene, they're a vitamin-rich treat for your eyes — but contrary to wartime myths, they won't help you see in the dark! (That rumour was started during WWII to cover up the Allies' use of radar technology.)
🥕 Carrots aren't just orange — they can be red, purple, yellow or even white. Still, orange reigns supreme.
🥕 Eat too many and you might just turn into a human carrot! (Legend has it that Steve Jobs once turned orange from a carrot-only diet!)
🥕 With 88% water, carrots are a hydration hero — perfect for a snack that's both sweet and refreshing.
Crunchy Carrot Facts:
- Carrot Origins: Carrots were first cultivated over 5,000 years ago in regions that are now Afghanistan and Iran.
- Colorful History: Before the 17th century, carrots were commonly purple, white, or yellow. The orange variety was developed in the Netherlands as a tribute to the House of Orange.
- Water Content: Carrots are composed of about 88% water, making them a hydrating snack.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: A single medium-sized carrot provides about 25 calories and is an excellent source of vitamin A, essential for good vision and immune function.
- Record-Breakers: The world's longest carrot measured over 20 feet, and the heaviest weighed nearly 19 pounds!
So, let's celebrate the humble carrot—rich in history, nutrition, and colour. Whether you're enjoying a scoop of the famous carrot ice cream or learning how and where to grow them, there's no better time to get carrot-away then at the Winter Harvest Festival on June 28!
WINTER HARVEST FESTIVAL - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW -
Market Stalls to Fill Your Boots (and Your Esky!) There's more than 60 stalls showcasing everything from local cheeses and smallgoods to freshly harvested produce, artisan spirits, and handcrafted goods.
Demonstrations, Workshops & More The Homestead Kitchen will cook up a storm with Scenic Rim Food Ambassadors Alison Alexander, Elliot Platz, Glen Barratt, and Caz Osborne from Scenic Rim Cooking Classes, serving up top tips for making the most of your local harvest.
Tractor Pull: The Battle of Brawn (and Bragging Rights!) The world famous Kubota Tractor Pull Who's got the muscle to wrestle a 10-tonne tractor across the finish line? Local butchers, farmers, and the Defence team are all vying to reclaim the title from last year's veggie-victors, Kalfresh Vegetables. Bring your loudest cheer and witness the epic showdown—winner takes home cash for their local community group!
Celebration of Lost Culinary Arts Learn the art of bottling, pickling, and preserving—plus stock up on enough jams, marmalades, and chutneys to fill your pantry. Presented by 612 ABC Radio Brisbane, this free event invites guests to explore traditional skills through talks, demonstrations and market stalls—honouring the creativity, resilience and culinary ingenuity that filled pantries and fed families long before refrigeration and supermarkets.
Live Music, Food & Drink Think wood-fired pizzas with seasonal toppings, BBQ'd local beef, Spanish paella by Regional Ambassador Chef Javier Codina from MODA, plus all the local wines, beers, and spirits your heart desires—all soundtracked by live tunes. It's the ultimate farm gate party.
Fun for the Littlies (and the Big Kids Too!) Little farmers-in-the-making can get hands-on with carrot tossing, tractor pulling, farm animal cuddles, face painting, garden games, and more.
What's New in 2025?
- On-site Glamping – Stay the weekend in cozy bell tents at Kalbar Showgrounds.
- Winter Harvest Grazing Box – Pre-order your box of local deliciousness.
- Coach Tours – From Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay & Fraser Coast—ditch the car and leave the driving to us!
- Farm Angels Fundraiser – Buy a festival bag and support farmers.
WINTER HARVEST WEEKEND: Saturday June 28 and Sunday June 29
All event and ticketing information is available here Winter Harvest Festival - Scenic Rim Eat Local Month
