Pretty Produce

EDIBLE FLOWERS

IMAGES BY AMY MACKAY | WORDS BY LUISA SLACK-SMITH

You may have seen edible pops of colour gracing your plate at local Cafes and restaurants around the Scenic Rim. “Pretty Produce” an edible produce business is owned by locals Simone and Dave. Towards the end of 2019, during a time of continuous drought and bushfire, they bravely purchased “Silverwood Farm” located just outside of Canungra on Lamington National Park Road. A huge leap of faith that has seemingly paid off for this salt of the earth couple.

Once settled in their new home, they wasted no time getting their hands and pitch forks in the garden. They brought their award winning edible produce business to the Scenic Rim, and it was welcomed by Chef’s from all over the region with open arms.

For many years previous to this, life before farming, Simone was a photographer for various QLD newspapers, and Dave enjoyed a well travelled career as an exploration geologist. Both individually share a rich history with the Australian landscape, their childhoods well spent on farming lands. So when the edible produce business exploded in popularity they looked outside of the Redland bay area, Simone explains "it was time to relocate and expand the business so the Scenic Rim was an obvious choice as it’s rich in agricultural tourism and close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.”

Fast forward one year on, and this humble, hardworking and capable couple are now launching a new concept aptly named the Wild Flower Forest. An idea that came to Simone and Dave after COVID took a hold, Dave explains how taking a slower approached changed their direction. “Most of my work previous to COVID involved working away FIFO. I came home for a break in March and I’ve been home ever since. I‘ve realised there's more to life than chasing money. Quality of life is far more important.”

“We enjoy each others company, Dave loves building things and I love growing things. We both have the same work ethic and feel very much at home here, in the warm community that surrounds Canungra,” Simone adds.

“Rows wildly sown with swathes of colourful zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos all dancing in the afternoon breezes - harbouring giant clouds of butterflies. A chemical free farm, our philosophy ensures bees, frogs, bugs and butterflies find peace and pleasure - a safe harbour for the wild. People will be able to reserve picnic spots and we will offer the sale of produce like flower cookies and bunches of handpicked flowers among other goodies.” The Wild Flower Forest swings open the gates this November, trading Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Sundays between 9am – 4pm. The Wild Flower Forest welcomes families, couples as well as those with an Instagram account. Strict Covid safety plans are followed with social distancing also taking place. Bookings essential for picnics, corporate events, celebrations and gatherings.

704 Lamington National Park Road, Canungra. @pretty.produce @wild.flower.forest @silverwood.farm /simsprettyproduce /Silverwood-Farm /Wild-Flower-Forest www.prettyproduce.com.au | info@prettyproduce.com.au