Agriculture and Food

Agriculture is a core economic activity in the Shire although its relative importance has declined considerably over the past decades.  Traditional dairy farming has largely given way to small scale horticulture – notably macadamia and to a lesser extent coffee, stone fruit and other produce.

Council promotes enterprises that supply fresh, high quality food as well as fibre, timber and other products and services to the Shire's community and beyond. Council has adpopted an Ethical Catering Policy. The policy is focussed on improving the sustainability of Council's internal practices by reducing the food miles and the cosio-environmental impacts associated with Council's catering choices. It give preference to local, seasonally available, certified organic, cruelty-free and fair trade produce and also aims to promote sustainable agriculture by supporting local farmers across Byron Shire.

Council has produced a Sustainable Food Business Directory that lists businesses and community enterprises in Byron Shire that stock locally-grown produce, free range eggs, fair trade products, certified organic produce and are plastic bag free.  Towns covered by the directory include Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Bangalow.