PALLAMALLAWA couple Rob and Susie Long are long-time exhibitors at the Moree on a Plate Festival.

It was nearly 30 years ago when they first started nutting out ways to capitalise on their then-newly purchased parcel of land on the fertile banks of the Gwydir River.

While not vast enough for broadacre farming, but boasting rich alluvial black soils, the intensive farming industry of pecans was calling.

“We had a young family and were both working so needed a realistic, reasonably low maintenance industry, and trees, being a permanent crop, really appealed to us,” Susie said.

Their venture proved a great success, and Susie is proud to be supplying a locally grown product high in quality and goodness.

Rob and Susie Long at Moree on a Plate Food and Wine Festival (Image: Jasmin Morrison).

“Pecans are such a natural, healthy food and in recent years the clean eating and wholefood movement, plus the swing against highly processed food, has really reinforced the industry and been hugely advantageous,” Susie said.

The Long’s Pally Pecans range includes raw kernels and flavoured kernels including Honey Roasted, Maple Cinnamon and Lime and Chilli.

A rich diversity of flavours will also be on offer at Moree on a Plate, reflective of the various cultures immersed within the community.

The major sponsor of this year’s festival is Port of Newcastle, with corporate affairs manager, Lucas Coleman, proud the organisation is associated with such a premier food and wine festival.

“It’s fantastic to support an event that is showcasing local producers and sharing the message of provenance awareness,” Mr Coleman said.

“Now more than ever people are vested in where their food comes from, and we can happily, and proudly, teach them, show them, and even introduce them to the people responsible for feeding the nation.”

Rebecca McMillan thanked Lucas and Dick for their very generous sponsorship.

“Without local sponsorship, our festival simply wouldn’t be, and we are so grateful to Port of Newcastle and Grove Juice,” she said.

“We feel greatly honoured that organisations of this calibre share our vision and are committed to the ongoing success of Moree on a Plate.”

To lodge a producer EOI go to Moree on a Plate.

Moree on a Plate

When: Saturday May 9, 2026

Where: Moree racecourse

Time: 10am until 3.30pm

Cost: Gold Coin donation at the gate