When the going gets tough, the tough start eating parmies.
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The Parma for a Farmer campaign has gained traction nationally over the past week, with pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes and eateries donating part of the purchase price to support Australian farmers.
Money raised goes to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale campaign.
Sporties Hotel licensee Nick Daking saw support building for the campaign and decided to join in – but doubled the donation.
The Launceston pub will donate $2 from every parmi sold during August to Parma for a Farmer.
“My family comes from a farming background,” Mr Daking said.
“Our business wouldn’t be able to survive without farmers – without farmers we don’t get food.”
Winnaleah Hotel is donating $1 from every parmi during August and September to the campaign, but owner Di Pymble is taking her support further.
Ms Pymble made separate donations to Rural Aid in her own name and from the hotel, but is also contributing meat raffle proceeds.
“Anything we can do to support the farmers,” she said.
“Everyone supports what I do. And my parmi is awesome.
“One guy gave me $200 for the cause and I have a jar on the bar.”
Ms Pymble hopes to inspire more eateries to get involved.
“I dare other hotels to do it. How awesome would that be if more did it?
“We’re only a little pub, but every little bit helps,” she said.
Other Northern venues include Entally Lodge, the Bush Inn Hotel at Deloraine and Great Lake Hotel at Miena.
Rural Business Tasmania has opened the Rural Relief Fund to provide drought and emergency support for Tasmanian and interstate communities.
Chief executive Elizabeth Skirving said the extraordinary climate conditions in parts of Tasmania and mainland Australia were “heartbreaking” and “pressing”.
Besides buying a parmi, those who want to support farming communities can also donate to the Rural Relief Fund.
“We enjoy, and arguably take for granted at times, the fact that we eat the fresh and healthy produce we do,” Ms Skirving said.
“Our producers need us now as we need them, I encourage all to donate today.”
Donations can be made specifically for Tasmanian or national support, she said.
Find out more about the Rural Relief Fund or donate at www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au or buy IGA gift cards and send to Rural Business Tasmania at PO Box 322, Launceston, TAS 7250.