We may not be venturing far from home at the moment, but you can still eat your way around South Australia with the help of some of our state's most passionate food producers.

Words Melissa Keogh, Bridget Laucke, Gretel Sneath, Christine Webster and Belinda Willis

Fleurieu: Ellis Butchers
You may have sampled Ellis Butchers’ quality meats at any of the Fleurieu’s top restaurants including the Salopian Inn, The Currant Shed and d’Arry’s Verandah, as well as some of Adelaide’s best such as 2KW, Magill Estate and Fino Vino. Whether supplying to restaurants or the public, Ellis Butchers pride themselves on consistency and reliability, with quality meat and personalised service at the heart of it all. Started by Lloyd Ellis and his sons in 1954, the business was owned and operated by Ian and Emma Shaw from 2003. Currently, it is owned by Rihann Koekemoer with Ian Shaw as head butcher. Ellis Butchers plays a key role in the Fleurieu Peninsula’s rich food culture.

Adelaide Hills: Beerenberg Farm
Chances are, a jar of Beerenberg jam or chutney has made a home in your pantry at some point. This much-loved brand has evolved over the years but remains a name all South Aussies will know. Beerenberg’s farm factory and shop has expanded in recent years, further cementing the company’s footprint in the Adelaide Hills. It all began in the early 1970s when Grant Paech made his first batch of strawberry jam on the kitchen stove. Now Beerenberg jams and sauces line supermarket shelves across the country. Visit the factory and shop on the outskirts of Hahndorf’s main street and from November to April, turn it into an afternoon with some strawberry picking in the patch nearby.

Barossa: Barossa Valley Chocolate Company
The Barossa Valley Chocolate Company at Tanunda produces more than 250 handmade artisan products in white, milk, dark and ruby chocolate. Wide, expansive viewing windows into the “Chocolate Kitchen’’ allow visitors to watch the chocolatiers at work. The selection includes pralines with high-quality, artisan chocolate and velvety fillings. A chocolate and wine tasting experience is also on offer, curated by the head chocolatier. Their delicious chocolates are also available online.

Riverland: The Almond Farmer
Dennis and Pam Casaretto began growing almonds on their property in Taylorville near Waikerie in 2000 after falling in love with their health benefits. Three years later, they turned it into a full-time farming operation and their son Jarrad and daughter-in-law Jackie left the city to join the family business. The almonds are sustainably grown, hand sorted and packed on the family farm. The company is earning a reputation for its raw and roasted almonds, almond meal and 100 per cent pure almond butters and almond skincare oil. The products are lovingly crafted and packaged on the farm to avoid any cross-contamination from other tree nuts or allergy ingredients.  

Clare: Pangkarra
Pangkarra Foods, a staple of the Clare Valley, has recently reinvigorated its offerings with a new gourmet snack brand, POD. For five generations, the Maitland family has made fresh products from the grain and legumes on their Clare Valley farm, renowned in the region for their premium stone-milled wholegrain pasta, flour and lavosh. The POD, or Protein on Demand, brand welcomes roasted pulses and chickpea puffs to the family, with six savoury and sweet options in 40g packs.

Kangaroo Island: Kangaroo Island Source
From Mexican Jalapeno to Fuego Hot Sauce, Kangaroo Island Source produces a gourmet range of chilli sauces, chutneys and spice mixes available at the Kangaroo Island Stall at the Adelaide Central Markets, as well as selected supermarkets and The Kangaroo Island Source online store. Operated by Kate Sumner from her farm-based kitchen at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island Source uses all-local ingredients and also provides catering for special events and weddings across the Island.

Kangaroo Island: The Oyster Farm Shop
For an authentic and fresh seafood experience on the Island, you can’t go past the Oyster Farm Shop’s farmgate at American River, where visitors can enjoy oyster farm tours and seafood platters. Founded by Ken and Amanda Rowe in 2010, as part of their business Kangaroo Island Shellfish, they now supply restaurants and customers across Australia with premium seafood including native Angasi oysters, marron, abalone, King George Whiting and house-smoked Kangaroo Island oysters. Visit their regular stall at the Willunga Farmers Market, find their designated pickup spots around Adelaide, or join the Mainland Mollusc Club.

Limestone Coast: Dickins’ Delights Toffee
The melt-in-your-mouth butter toffee made by Mount Gambier’s Dickins’ Delights enjoys a cult following among Limestone Coast locals. Delightfully boxed, it’s the perfect thank-you gift for dinner party hosts, and also makes a sweet souvenir. The range also features some seriously good rocky road among its 20+ gluten-free products. The ice-cream topping is a best seller – the mix of roasted almonds, macadamias, chocolate and toffee shards is meant to be sprinkled over your dessert, but you’ll probably find yourself eating it by the spoonful.

Yorke Peninsula: Rosevale Lentils
Rosevale at Yorketown are generational lentil growers, advocating the importance of traceable foods. The business is continually growing their product offer, recently to include dahl, curry and protein balls, so head to their website for some great recipe ideas and stockists. Think of the food miles – they are grown right here on the YP by a lentil land-loving farming family who specialise in this gluten-free, plant-based, protein-rich product. In addition to their traditional red lentils, watch out for the recently released black beluga lentils.

Eyre Peninsula: The Prawn Store
Spencer Gulf King Prawns are renowned throughout the world as the premium species of prawn. These beauties are wild-caught, straight from the cold clean waters of the Spencer Gulf, and full of natural flavour. The uniquely deep, complex essence of Spencer Gulf King Prawns is derived from their time spent in the cold, clear waters of the Southern Ocean. The Spencer Gulf King Prawn is also the first prawn fishery in the Asia Pacific region to be certified sustainable by the internationally recognised Marine Stewardship Council. The best place to buy your Spencer Gulf prawns is The Prawn Store – keep an eye on any pop-ups, or visit their website. Their new prawn caravan, affectionately named Primrose, will be travelling the state, stopping at wineries and events, selling ready-to-eat prawns.

This information first appeared in the SALIFE Food & Wine List 2020.

The SALIFE Food & Wine List 2020 is on sale now at newsagencies and selected supermarkets.