Hunter hoteliers fork out for farmers

CHEERS: Hotelier Mick Starkey supports this weekend's Fork to Farm initiative.

Hotels across Newcastle and the Hunter are donating $1 from every meal sold this weekend to Rural Aid to raise money for drought-stricken farmers and rural communities across NSW.

"Fork to Farm was a unique and incredibly successful appeal AHA Newcastle Hunter created last year, asking local hoteliers to pledge a donation for our drought-stricken farming communities," Australian Hotels Association Newcastle Hunter president Rolly de With says.

"The name Fork to Farm came about as many hoteliers were already donating a percentage of meals sold to drought appeals, and by participating in Fork to Farm and coming under one banner, we have been able to pool our resources and, together, provide a significant contribution to those in need."

Hotelier Mick Starkey's venues, The Stag & Hunter at Mayfield and Customs House in Newcastle, are both participating in the initiative this Father's Day weekend.

"Farmers and people in rural communities are the life-blood of our country," he says.

"For us as hoteliers and business owners, our farmers play a vital role in supplying produce we use every day to provide meals for our patrons. We rely on them and when they suffer, everyone in this country suffers. It's the right thing to do to lend a hand wherever we can."

List of participating hotels: Beauford Hotel, Mayfield; Bradford Hotel, Rutherford; Chelmsford Hotel, Kurri Kurri; Customs House, Newcastle; Duke of Wellington, Lambton; Eatons Hotel, Muswellbrook; Fire Station Hotel, Wallsend; Hotel Beatty, Gresford; Hotel Wangi, Wangi; Junction Inn Tavern, Raymond Terrace; The Junction Hotel, The Junction; Kent Hotel, Hamilton; Lake Macquarie Hotel Motel, Morisset; Lake Macquarie Tavern, Mount Hutton; Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace; Lochinvar Hotel Motel; Muswellbrook Hotel, Muswellbrook; Nags Head, Adamstown; Paterson Tavern, Paterson; Rutherford Hotel, Rutherford; Seabreeze Hotel, Nelson Bay; Seven Seas Hotel, Stockton; Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay; Shortland Hotel, Shortland; Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield; Station Hotel, Kurri Kurri; Toronto Hotel, Toronto; Windsor Castle Hotel, East Maitland; Wickham Park Hotel, Wickham.