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Take a Break from the Everyday at Forage: Strathfieldsaye's Oasis of Sustainability and Flavour
over 2 years ago
Take a Break from the Everyday at Forage: Strathfieldsaye's Oasis of Sustainability and Flavour

Forage is a unique cafe located in the growing community of Strathfieldsaye. It's a place where the owners, Naomi and Tim, can share their passion for sustainability, food, and local produce with the community.
Naomi has been working in the hospitality industry for over a decade, beginning her journey in England before moving to Australia. She has worked in various places around Melbourne and Bendigo and is now a part-owner and chef at Forage.
Tim, on the other hand, has been in the industry for 20 years, starting out on a coffee machine and working his way up. He met Naomi about five years ago and the two decided to work together and open their own restaurant. They wanted a place where they could use their own produce from their farm and share their ethos on life with others.
The journey to opening Forage wasn't easy, however. It took a while for the idea to come to fruition, but with the support of their spouses, they finally took the opportunity and opened the restaurant on December 15, 2021, after a couple of weeks of delays with equipment.
Despite the challenges of opening two weeks before Christmas, the restaurant was a success from the start. During the second week of operation, they hosted a breakfast for a local primary school and have continued to grow and thrive ever since. Forage is open Wednesday-Sunday from 6 am to 2:30 pm, allowing the owners to have time with their families while still running their farms and living their lives.
One of the things that sets Forage apart is its focus on using local and passionate producers. The owners have worked in various places that do an excellent job, but they wanted to take it to the next level and make sure that the farmers and producers are fairly compensated for their work. They try to use producers from Bendigo and surrounding areas and prioritize those who share their passion.
In addition to the delicious food and use of local produce, Forage has a great team. When they first opened, they advertised for staff a few weeks before and were able to assemble a strong core team. Since then, they've had a few people come and go, but have built an incredible team that they are grateful to have.
Overall, Forage is a place that has been built with love and passion by Naomi and Tim. From the very beginning, they have displayed their skills through the quality of the food and the atmosphere. If you're in the Strathfieldsaye area, be sure to stop by and check it out!