Tamworth businesses shortlisted for national prize

Between them, Long Lunch Linen, Impact Meat and Fit 2 Function have been committed to servicing the Tamworth region for years, but this isn't the only thing they have in common.

Among 20 shortlisted finalists from around Australia all three businesses are in the running to take out the People's Choice title in the Buy From The Bush Competition, which would secure them not only the glory, but also a $15000 prize to help them get their big break.

So let's meet the local businesses vying for top spot.

Providing ethically sourced, premium French linen napkins and tablecloths in classic colours inspired by the countryside, Long Lunch Linen hopes to make every family dinner one to remember.

Along with her business partner Alexis Humphries, Carina Chambers from Long Lunch Linen said the company's goal was to bring families back around the table.

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"Like many Aussie families, we love to spend quality time with our nearest and dearest around the kitchen table," she said.

"We're committed to bringing Aussies together again. Especially when social distancing becomes a thing of the past."

Born from the frustration and despair of having to throw two mix-matched table cloths together, and seeing the "unsightly join in the middle", Long Lunch Linen have pledged to solve this dilemma.

"We can see a gap in the market for affordable, ethically sourced, long table cloths in colours that won't go out of fashion," Ms Chambers said.

Born and bred in rural Australia, Ms Chambers and Ms Humphries are committed to supporting local businesses and markets and have devoted 1 per cent of all profits to Food Bank to "help Aussie families doing it tough share a meal to".

While Ms Chambers was proud of how far the business had come, she said winning the Buy From The Bush competition would mean Long Lunch Linen would be able to expand their product line, invest in a killer marketing strategy, and keep up with increasing demand.

"We would be able to service more rural and regional retailers," she said.

But most importantly Ms Chambers said the prize would help them bring more families back together.

"People love to entertain in Australia," she said. "We want our linen on the table for these family reunions."

Are you a lover of a cheese board or a pub wanting to elevate your snack game? Well, Impact Meat is here to help.

From the local minds of mother-daughter duo Emma and Sandra Williams, Impact Meat was founded to do just that, make an impact.

Providing premium, handcrafted, grass-fed beef jerky and biltong, the business is committed to giving back to rural and regional Australians.

"The community is who we are, our customers and our retailers are on the journey with us," Emma said

"This is about positioning the agricultural industry at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.

"Our aim is to leave every place where we live better off... we want to be carbon neutral."

Promising to keep imported and highly processed meats out of the mouths of people around Australia, Ms Williams said Impact Meat only sold the best.

"It's high protein, gluten free, and has no nasties in it," she said.

"And not to mention, it tastes pretty damn good."

While Emma is currently based in Sydney, the business operations are based on the family's small cattle farm, just outside of Tamworth.

With the business only being three weeks old Emma said taking home the $15000 prize would help elevate their profile and grow sustainably.

"It would be game changing for us," she said. "This big break would allow us to start manufacturing ourselves in Tamworth, invest in more sustainable packaging alternatives, and really accelerate the way we can make an impact in regional communities."

While the jerky and biltong are currently available for purchase on their online store, Emma said it would be a dream come true to see Impact Meat on the shelves of independent bottle shops, bars, delis and gift stores across regional Australia.

There's no denying motherhood is hard, but Jess Walker and Natalie Lambeth are committed to making the experience easier for rural mums and bubs.

The girls from the local gym, Fit 2 Function, have developed an online post partum rehabilitation program to help guide and support mothers through every step of the recovery process.

"We are going to take care of your body, so you can take care of your baby," Ms Walker said.

The project has been developed by Ms Walker's background as a highly experienced physiotherapist with an interest in women's health, and Ms Lambeth's expertise as an exercise physiologist.

"This program gives you direct access to highly experienced, highly skilled, and highly qualified health professionals no matter where you live."

Ms Walker said focusing on rural and regional mums was a top priority when crafting the program.

"Access to healthcare is inequitable, our rural and remote Aussies fair the brunt of this every single day," she said.

"I find I have women travelling to me from all over the place."

Although regional and rural mums are a high priority the online aspect of the program meant that it could support mothers around the country.

"It's also such an easily digestible format," Ms Walker said.

"It can reach anyone, anywhere and make it so much easier for new mums to get the help that they need, when they need it, in the comfort of their own home."

Being crowned the People's Choice winner would help mothers access this crucial support and services sooner rather than later.

"Our biggest hold up is time and money," Ms Walker said.

"We have the skills, we have the knowledge and we have the knowhow. [Winning] just means it can start quicker."

From linen, to jerky, to post partum recovery all three local business said they were committed to putting regional and rural Australia first.

So, who's your pick to take out the People's choice? Voting closes on Sunday 24 October at 11:59pm.

For more information and to cast your vote visit https://www.buyfromthebush.com.au/promo/bftb-big-break-peoples-choice

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