But it was raising awareness of the methods and benefits of sustainable farming that motivated the recent University of Wollongong science graduate to make a 500 kilometre plus journey from his parents’ farm to Thirroul on Friday.

Peter and Jennifer Randall have grown organic rice on their family farm in Murrami, NSW since 1989.

They recently began selling brown rice cakes to very positive feedback but unfortunately the rice cake machine on the Randall’s farm is small, labour intensive and they’re unable to keep up with demand.

Their son Tim has a solution, which includes manufacturing rice cake machines in Wollongong.

‘’“My goal is to raise enough money to purchase two new rice cake machines which will help us meet demand for our products but also help mitigate the risk to our farm and livelihood due to the threat of drought,’’ he said.

‘’The rice cake project is my own venture which will not only help my parents’ rice farm be viable in the long term but also help me get started in my own organic food career.

‘’I intend to set these machines up for manufacture in Wollongong where we can be closer to larger populations and get high quality produce to people more quickly, more efficiently and fresher.’’

Mr Randall was at the Flame Tree Co-Op in Thirroul on May 13 to chat about organic and sustainable farming practices and fundraise for contributions towards the cost of the new rice cake equipment via his Pozible project.

“We need to raise $18,000 to get another rice cake machine and we’re over halfway there,’’ Mr Randall said.

Flame Tree spokeswoman Meredith Thornton was supporting Mr Randall.

‘’We’re fortunate to have an abundance of amazing produce in NSW….As a business, and as people, we’re proud to support what the Randalls and like-minded producers are doing to ensure we retain a diverse local food culture,’’ she said.