Regans Ridge have been stallholders at Perth City Farm Farmers Market for around 20 years, selling extra virgin olive oil, gourmet cured olives and more recently, edible aloe vera products. You might meet Catherine Lee or her sister Elizabeth at the stall on Saturday morning, both of whom are friendly faces we look forward to seeing each week.
Committed to Community
Regans Ridge is a family-run business and fiercely committed to their community. The first trees of their olive grove in Gin Gin were planted in 1999 and from the start, they have been passionate about growing in a natural way that both cares for their land and for people.
They grow nine varieties of olives, and the team is currently harvesting a new season. Those that are destined to be table olives are handpicked while those destined to be pressed into olive oil are shaken from the tree.
Elizabeth tells us harvesting wouldn’t happen without the help of backpackers who have become an important part of the Regans Ridge community over the years. Many of them come from a mediterranean background, offering valuable cultural and historical insights about growing, eating and living with olives. The diversity that seasonal workers offer allows both the visitors and the locals to connect deeply, exchange stories and learn from one another.
Keeping Connection at the Heart
It’s something that happens at the Farmers Market too. Returning customers and first-time visitors alike stop for a chat while they browse the jars of olives, tapenade and olive oil at the Regans Ridge stall. By talking face-to-face with the people at the heart of the business, they’re able to learn how the products are grown, processed and distributed. It’s this ‘farm to plate’ mindset, with no middleman, that makes Regans Ridge so special. They’ve intentionally stayed small-scale, so the human connection remains at the heart of what they do.
In true City Farm fashion, Regans Ridge supplies some of the other regulars you’ll find at our Farmers Market. Anne from Mika Soap uses their olive oil to craft her soap and body care products, and our onsite café Be Free uses Regans Ridge EVOO to create their delicious meals too.
Find Regans Ridge each week in the centre section of the courtyard. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.