Martha Shepherd wins Rural Women’s Award 2006

Queensland gourmet rainforest fruits producer wins inaugural award

At Eumundi, not far from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, specialty food business Galeru is using Australian native rainforest ingredients to produce a distinctive range of ‘taste sensations’. Martha Shepherd, along with partner David Haviland, produce a high value niche crop of native fruits from more than 3000 native trees.

Martha’s 35 years experience in the food industry, the pair’s passion for indigenous plant species plus a Brisbane TAFE course in bushfoods, which provided the impetus to explore the possibilities, have led to a very successful business.

On their website Martha and David speak about creating a sustainable enterprise while sharing the commitment of all those who treasure Australia’s natural heritage. They have re-planted native trees and shrubs on land long ago cleared – over 3000 now – and it is from the leaves, fruits and nuts of these trees that they have developed rainforest products that are unique and delicious.

Galeru produces a range of specialty bakery products and associated fruit sauces, such as rainberry apple cake with butterscotch icing; macadamia-yums? with lemon myrtle; and raincherries?, which take their distinctive character and unique taste from Australian rainforest ingredients.

This 2006 Award is the first time a national winner has been selected from the State and Territory winners. Martha plans to use her $10,000 Bursary to develop a viable value chain management model so smaller producers can collaborate with regional processors to produce the quantity and quality to ensure their economic and environmental viability.