Mypolonga’s Kelly Johnson selected as finalist for rural women’s award
A local agribusiness is being recognised for their work in sustainability and entrepreneurship.
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Kelly Johnson is well known in the Murraylands for her locally sourced dehydrated meal business, Woodlane Orchard.
But now she has been recognised as a finalist in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her work on her agribusiness, SP Hiker.
Similar to Woodlane Orchard, SP Hiker turns surplus and second-grade produce, purchased straight from farms, into eco-conscious, shelf-stable meals.
Instead the meals are smaller, aimed at hikers, cyclers and sailors; but the packaging is still fully compostable, making it easy for remote destinations.
"It's absolute gold, it's an honour," Ms Johnson said.
"The elevation to get out to more people, more farmers, more produce, sell more produce, support more farmers ... that's what it's all about."
Ms Johnson is now part of the Murray Bridge business community, having moved to a new location on First Street.
Unlike most hike food, SP Hiker meals are not precooked, requiring just 15 minutes of cooking time, but the result is well worth the effort.
"I wanted a more natural, real food taste but it's bit us in the butt a bit because people want fast food," Ms Johnson said.
"Consumers often want quick and easy, but what else is there to do when you arrive at camp that night?"
Ms Johnson is one out of four finalists for the award; the winner will go in the running to win a $15,000 Westpac grant to support an existing project, business or program.
A South Australian winner will be announced on April 8 and will represent the state at a national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award gala dinner in Canberra later in the year.
If she wins, Ms Johnson hopes to use the money to expand her business to purchase a freeze drier.
"You'll be able to get (the food) cooked just as fast as (other pre-cooked hiking food), but you'll be higher nutrition, more sustainable, smaller, lighter, all the good stuff," she said.
The name SP Hiker was sparked from her time working in the scouts, when she and her kids used to make their own hike food together.
"(We) used to lay rice, couscous, pasta, you name it and then they'd throw it all together and cook it up," she said.
It has been nearly five years since Ms Johnson started dehydrating fruits, and in that time she's been nominated and a winner of multiple awards.
Starting in early April, she will even host four separate workshops allowing customers to learn how to make their own dehydrated food.
"I want to encourage people in their own backyards to save their own food," she said.
"It's about the wider picture."
- More information: Visit www.sphiker.com.au; follow SP Hiker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Threads; call 0493 256 483; or visit 6 First Street, Murray Bridge during business hours.
- More information about the workshops: www.eventbrite.com.au.
