The launch was at the Mid North Coast Food Forum, held at Bonville Golf Course on Monday.

The ‘Macleay Valley Food Bowl’ logo is a registered trademark and was commissioned by Kempsey Shire Council as part 

of its Agribusiness Project.

It is one of 10 strategies aimed at strengthening high-value agriculture in the Macleay.

Created by local designer Natalie Barnes, the logo promotes the geographic location of the Macleay Valley on a map of Australia.

Council is liaising with local producers to encourage them to incorporate the brand on their own packaging to provide the Macleay with a stronger presence and strategic advantage in interstate markets.

Large scale intensive horticulture business Green Leaf Farm, located at Clybucca, has welcomed the opportunity.

It is incorporating the logo on 30,000 cartons used to transport summer vegetables to markets in Sydney, 

Melbourne and Brisbane.

Other local quality producers including Burrawong Gaian poultry farm and Macleay Valley Rabbits have welcomed 

the proposal.

Council invites any other producers interested in taking up the opportunity to get in touch with council’s Economic Sustainability Unit.

“Over the next few months, we will be speaking with other major food producers and processors to promote this opportunity for us to collaborate to promote the Macleay,” said council's Economic Sustainability manager Susannah Smith.

“Council is keen to form a strong alliance with its local food producers and give the Macleay stronger identity and strategic advantage in what is a growing and competitive marketplace."

Developing growth in the agribusiness sector through high-value crop and livestock production was a significant 

economic development strategy, she said.

“The economic data shows us that the Macleay has significant room for growth in this sector compared with our neighbours, which is great news for our economy and community,” Ms Smith said.

“Growth in agriculture takes us back to our community’s roots and the next 12 to 24 months will be an exciting new phase in our economic focus as we implement strategies aimed at growing wealth and jobs for the Macleay, with flow-on benefits to our retail, services and other sectors.”

Co-branding the Macleay Valley Food Bowl logo is the first strategy for exposure, with council planning a range of other uses.

“The brand has value in not only promoting the Macleay as a fresh food location, but in creating a stronger sense of identity and allegiance amongst local industry operators," Ms Smith said.

“We also hope this promotion stimulates consumer demand for local fresh food and the second phase of our strategy will see us working closely with local restaurants, cafes and retailers to pledge their commitment to using as much local produce as possible and carrying the logo on their menus and in their businesses.”