On Friday, the Bega Valley’s budding local food entrepreneurs put their new-found skills to the test when they set up shop at Bega’s SCPA Market.

For the past 16 weeks, the Illawarra TAFE Bega Campus students have been learning about building a sustainable food business in the Making a Buck from Beetroot course.

The 12 students marketed their locally grown and produced beetroot and potato gnocchi with parsley and walnut pesto at the markets, under the branding “Bega Valle Locale”.

All ingredients have been sourced locally and, in a bid to keep produce fresh, the students worked with Bega TAFE commercial cookery teacher Dave Arens to cook and package the gnocchi and pesto on eve of the markets.

Student Stacey George said she hoped to sell out of pasta, as all profits were directed to the local Schools Kitchen Garden program and she hoped to give the program a boost. 

“That way, children can share in the fun of growing and cooking the foods they have grown,” she said. 

“There’s no doubt the product is very colourful, but it’s also very healthy, fresh and tasty.”  

The current class is the third group to graduate from Bega TAFE’s Sustainable Food Business Course. 

Making a Buck from Beetroot covers all aspects of establishing a sustainable food business, including growing and preparing the food, food safety, business planning, marketing and selling the finished product, using as few resources as possible. 

The course provides the students with a Certificate I – Access to Work and Training. 

TAFE student Deena Waterson said it had been an enjoyable learning experience, and the course had given her valuable insight into the “business” behind a business and the amount of energy required.

“This course has not only shown me the steps needed to start a sustainable business, but also the food standards, regulations and marketing,” Ms Waterson said.

“We’ve also been fortunate to visit local farms and see what other people have been able to achieve. 

“It’s been very inspiring.

“At times it can seem a little daunting, but I’ve discovered there’s plenty of help available to get you going, and lots of encouragement from other local producers.”

To inquire about enrolling in future courses, contact General Education head teacher David Grainger on 6492 9741.