Scenic Rim Eat Local Week 2020 regretfully cancelled:
Eating locally important now more than ever
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week (including the Winter Harvest Festival) has been officially cancelled for 2020, following ongoing advice from the Australian Government and Queensland Government health authorities regarding mass gatherings, non-essential travel and COVID-19.
The small team at Scenic Rim Regional Council which coordinates Eat Local Week in collaboration with local businesses each year is heartbroken that this cancellation must happen. However, it is the right decision to put the health and safety of the Scenic Rim's visitors, producers, tourism operators and the wider community first.
Mayor Greg Christensen thanked sponsors, event organisers, food ambassadors, stallholders and the broader Scenic Rim Eat Local Week family for their support and understanding.
"Scenic Rim Eat Local Week was due to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020. In the decade to date, Eat Local Week has gone from strength to strength, helping the Scenic Rim win its current title of 'Outstanding Region' at the delicious. Produce Awards, winning a national award at the Australian Economic Development Awards in 2019 and attracting some 40,000 people to the Scenic Rim annually."
"Eat Local Week contributes about $2 million to the Scenic Rim's economy each year and has helped the region build a strong local food movement with many loyal followers from near and far. The event will be sorely missed by locals and visitors alike in 2020."
"In these tough and constantly changing times, we can at least give ourselves something to look forward to by marking 2021 Eat Local Week in our diaries for 26 June to 4 July."
"In the meantime, and more than ever, is the time to make the most of the abundant local Scenic Rim food still being produced right on our doorstep. All of us have the opportunity to support our local producers and food businesses as they adapt to give us safe access to fresh, seasonal, high quality produce. We as a team continue to look for innovative ways to support our region through this time."
"We will publish a full list of participants and sponsors who had committed to be part of 2020 events on our Scenic Rim Eat Local Week website so you can show your support for those businesses affected now, and into the future.
"We look forward to being able to once again share the sights, sounds and tastes of our unique event when we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Eat Local Week in 2021, so put 26 June to 4 July in your diaries now! Please stay safe and healthy."
