Jess Casnave, Nicole Ciaccia and Hannah Hand.
Across the South West Slopes, local producers are working together under the ‘Annie’s Pantry’ brand to make regionally sourced and naturally made produce more accessible.
Nicole Ciaccia, Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop General Manager, says that all ‘Annie’s Pantry’ items are sourced from within a 150km radius, including the Riverina, Hilltops, Snowy Valley and Yass Valley regions.
“Our olive oil comes from two farms in Yass and Cowra, our jams and sauces are made in the Riverina, we’ve got a range of dog treats and accessories, handmade soaps from Griffith, products from Batlow and Gundagai honey. Wherever possible, our focus is sourcing regional and naturally made products.”
“Our pantry items are represented under the label ‘Annie’s Pantry’, as a tribute to Annie Pyers, the original shop owner. Our pantry items are high quality and follow many of the old methods and recipes,” said Nicole.
“If you have a look at our Annie’s Pantry items, they take you back to those days. Jams that are 75% fruit, with a little bit of raw sugar and lemon juice. We’re keeping the traditions alive for those stopping every time they come through.”
“We’ve recently added natural chocolates to the Annie’s Pantry range, in preparation for Easter; keeping our focus on natural products through to our sweet treats and boiled sweets,” Nicole said.
Timothy Harley from Quincy Jones Jelly Preserves Co., whose jams form part of the ‘Annie’s Pantry’ range, said traditional methods remain central to his approach. Every batch is produced in small quantities to ensure depth of flavour, just like the preserves found in old country kitchens. His philosophy is timeless: real fruit, real flavour, no shortcuts.
For Timothy, being part of the Dog on the Tuckerbox experience is something he treasures.
“Travellers have been stopping here for generations,” he says. “Knowing they can take my jam with them feels like sharing a little bit of home.”
Gundagai pride shines through the ‘Annie’s Pantry’ range, which features Australian Honeybee Enterprises, the makers of Gundagai Gold Honey; a brand that stands for purity, craftsmanship and respect for nature.
Aethon, founder of Australian Honeybee Enterprises says, “We only take honey from hives when it’s fully ripened and capped with beeswax, ensuring low moisture levels and a thicker, richer honey. Our honey is the way nature intended; unpasteurised, non-heat treated, pure raw and alive. It varies in texture, taste, colour and aroma according to the season, so each batch tells its own story.”
The newly reopened and redeveloped Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop site (at Snake Gully Station, 37 Annie Pyers Drive, Gundagai) aims to educate and pay tribute to the history of the area, with touches to the historical roots of the site embedded in all aspects of the business.
Nicole says that through the ‘Annie’s Pantry’ brand and future expansions, they are also hoping to educate visitors on the history and significance of the site.
“On our Instagram lately, we’ve been fortunate enough to have one of Annie’s relatives pass on some photos and some history, which we plan to share as part of our tribute to Annie and this iconic Australian location.”
“We are very aware of the historic significance of this site, and we don’t take that lightly,” said Nicole.
Local CWA members and home cooks are invited to share recipes using the ‘Annie’s Pantry’ products – from sponges to marinades and dressings.
The Dog on the Tuckerbox Kiosk and Farm Shop is open 7 days, 9am to 4pm, at 37 Annie Pyers Drive, Gundagai NSW 2722 and will remain open over the Easter weekend (all days except Easter Sunday) and throughout the school holidays.
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