The community has embraced The Pocket Bega with its safe play area and room for prams and dogs. Photo: Supplied.
Wander down a brick lane through an older part of Bega township, to the site of a long-gone nursery and you’ll find families, children, lunch hour workers, all gathering in a safe green space eating cake and sandwiches, drinking coffee and smoothies, and smiling.
Welcome to The Pocket, a permanent ‘food van’ in the old Bega Garden Nursery space, run by young parents and hospitality veterans Simon Kerr and Bronte Balodis, along with their three children under four and dog Billy.
Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, The Pocket serves up Bermagui’s Happy Brew Coffee Co. beans, seasonal smoothies and some of the most fabulous sandwiches you will find on the coast.
Simon Kerr and Bronte Balodis at work in The Pocket. Photo: Lisa Herbert.
All offerings are top-notch: fresh, generous and delicious. All ingredients are in the main locally sourced and are low-food miles where possible.
“We use local produce from a few people in the area like Grass Boots Farm, Solstice Farm and Bega Valley Meats, also Bermagui bread which arrives together with our coffee,” says co-owner Bronte.
The Pocket serves its spectacular sandwiches on Honorbread favourites, from an ever-changing, daily board boasting the likes of shredded, slow-cooked corned beef on caraway rye, with swiss cheese, pickles, and fresh slaw; a panko and parmesan crumbed chicken Caesar salad on a sesame loaf; and ‘Ol’ Sal’ – one of the best, most crispy, zingy, crunchy salad sangas this writer has ever made weird appreciative sounds over: herby pesto, pea shoots, green apple, pickled beets, cheddar cheese, grated carrot and lettuce.
Crunchy, zingy, delicious sandwiches from The Pocket in Bega. Photo: Supplied.
Other offerings include a maple and coconut (gf) granola with coconut yoghurt and berry chia compote and your choice of milk, and daily homemade cakes ‘of the day’ with a dollop of cream for that morning or afternoon tea delight.
‘Not coffee’ drink offerings include maple matcha and sticky-spiced chai, organic teas, and smoothies with names such as Pocket Sunshine, Choc Notella and Daily Greens.
Melbournite Simon and Bega Valley local Bronte met in a cafe in Melbourne, moved back to the coast to have a family and had wanted to create a food van for some time.
Meanwhile, The Pocket and Side Pocket community spaces were being born in the old nursery and South East Arts offices respectively, and the crew were looking for a food van to enhance the combined space. And so this little gem in the heart of community was born.
Nestled behind Bega’s long-standing wholefood Co-op, The Pocket garden and Side Pocket have created a safe, indoor/outdoor, low-tech alternative to Bega’s cafe scene allowing for quiet, device-free writing, poetry events, mending sessions and clothing swaps, all while the kids can run around and play in the central sandpit as you enjoy excellent coffee and fresh eats.
The Pocket is conveniently close to two EV charging stations and a handy carpark, and is a two-minute walk from Carp Street and the town’s main bus stop. For those in need, there is a thoughtful pay-it-forward board to check out.
The fabulous locally sourced BLT from The Pocket in Bega. Photo: Supplied.
“We live in Bega and felt there was a gap for a family-friendly space where you could bring the pram, bring the dog, and dine in or take away,” Bronte says.
“We love that we’re off the main drag but quite central; we’re also a bit hidden. The community’s been really welcoming; it’s exceeded all our expectations!”
The Pocket is located at 34a Church Street, Bega. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. Keep up with them via their Instagram.
