First things first – if you’ve never heard of a quandong, they are shiny, bright red fruits that are about two centimeters in diameter that contain one large kernel. They’re native to Australia and the flesh is somewhat tart in flavour, commonly used for making jams and sweet pies. The kernel is also very nutritious – Indigenous people tend to use this part of the quandong for medicinal purposes. These feisty little fruits pack a punch and there is an entire jubilation coming to the Flinders Ranges to honour the great quandong.
On 6 August 2022, the inaugural Quandong Festival will celebrate regenerative farming and Australian native foods on Nukunu land, Quorn – which is just under a four hour drive from central Adelaide.
The Quandong Festival will feature Australian native food growers, harvesters, cooks, educators and enthusiasts including; Costa from ABC’s Gardening Australia, River Cottage Australia’s Paul West, The Agrarian Kitchen’s Rodney Dunn, Masterchef’s Michael Weldon, and renowned author, Bruce Pascoe. They’ll all be there to celebrate with educational workshops, food stalls and culinary experiences.
There’s also a bunch of activities for adults and children to participate in at the 2022 Quandong Festival including: children’s craft focused on capturing the fun of bush food flavors, food preparation and sustainability; The Great Quandong Pie competition; a secret cinema for the kids; and damper making and marshmallow toasting around the campfire – to name a few!
As far as stalls go, you’ll find the likes of fashion, art, plants, jewellery, and niche edibles on offer. Along with food trucks by Meez on Plus, Forage Supply Co, and local bar, Flinders Gin. And if those aren’t up to your standards, the Great Northern Lodge will be hosting a quandong-themed lunch and dinner by Flinders Food Co chef, Doogal Hannagan and his New York-based brother, Barney Hannaghan from the infamous Two Hands cafe.
Quandong Festival Creative Director, Rebecca Sullivan of Warndu shares that, “The spirit of reconciliation and a celebration of regenerative agriculture is key to Australia’s food industry and how it adapts to a changing climate. The Quandong Festival ventures well beyond quandongs. It’s a celebration of all native Australian plants and foods.”
“We are bringing the leaders and thinkers at the helm of the nation’s native food and sustainability industries together whilst we continue as a community to curate a culture for the integration of ancient foods to people living in the region, Australia and beyond,” Rebecca continues.
While Flinders Ranges Council Mayor, Greg Flint says, “The Quandong Festival will bring together people from all over Australia who have that passion for growing and using native foods. We want to learn from them how to better market and incorporate these foods into our businesses and community and in turn share the passion that this community has for these native foods.”
You can bask at the outback soirée on August 6 from 10am until 6pm, and although the festival is free, you’ve gotta book tickets. So jot down the deets and don’t double book yourself, the Quandong Festival only happens once a year!