Strawberry fields endeavour

The cycle of local food production is always spinning, and never stops for Stephen and Sally Harnett, and their team at Golden Mile Produce.

Golden Mile Produce in Spring Creek have been supplying food producers, restaurant and pantries with Marlborough-grown produce for six seasons.

Tending to their 2.9-hectare property over the last six seasons and operating their onsite seasonal Sal’s Shed stall as well as their touring market stall, the pair never really stop.

And with June well underway, strawberries are next on their agenda.

For Stephen and Sally, June means the beginning of preparations for strawberry growing season within their hydroponic system.  

There are crates of strawberry saplings needing to be trimmed and cleaning and sanitising to be done before planting gets underway.

“Our Albion strawberry plants, which we get supplied from nurseries around Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, grow so well that we got rid of our small punnet option because four strawberries would fill it – so it’s only regular or large,” Stephen says.

“We plant 30,000 strawberry plants that take up two thirds of our 3,300m² of covered space over winter, and we sell 90/95 percent of them ourselves.”

Golden Mile’s food footprint stretches far beyond the strawberry crop, with 14 different crops planted throughout the year, and variations within the plantings.

“Strawberries tend to be the main attraction for a lot of the public, but for example we’re the only local rockmelon and watermelon growers, four varieties of eggplants, three different capsicums, two courgettes, a range of different chillies and Asian greens alongside some limited runs, and we like to sell everything we grow.

“It’s got to the point that if we want to introduce something new, Sally tells me something needs to be replaced and that’s always a tough decision,” Stephen explains.

Sally says that by keeping up communications and connections across the community, it means they’re able to be as responsive as possible.

“Relationships with local businesses, consistent customers, and restaurant chefs who are interested in seasonality is massive for us, and freshness is crucial for everyone,” Sally says.

“We can pick and transport produce, for example, to Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen right up the road, or to a boat in Picton for tour companies and lodges we supply in a matter of hours - but it’s also great for us to speak with people at Sal’s Shed and the markets we attend.”

The seasonal supply of produce has a big impact on local restaurants and stores too.

From chefs organising seasonal menus and shops including Williams’ Greengrocers needing to arrange specials, availability is crucial.

“We also get the odd request too, like spaghetti squash or shallots which change in popularity from year to year,” Sally says.

“The Boom team approached us to grow some fresh local chillies for their fantastic sauces, and we also supply Jokn’Al to turn strawberries into our Outstanding Food Producers silver award-winningconserve, and we love being able to contribute to other food businesses too.”

Golden Mile also hosts Marlborough’s community Olive Press who lease building space for eight weeks.

The community press, which Janine Mayson and Mandy Oyston help facilitate, happens at an ideal, quieter time for the Golden Mile team as they prepare for the next year’s strawberry crops.

“We purchased the press six years ago, and Stephen and Sally have been very generous supporters of our co-operative,” Janine says.

“Unfortunately, this year’s weather wasn’t conducive to a good olive harvest, but Marlborough still produces incredible, high-quality oil each year”, expands Mandy.

“By this point normally we’d have about 100 tonnes of fruit but it’s more like 30 this year, so we’re still looking for suppliers of any size to get in touch.”

“We’re all about locals supporting locals, and the olive press is another way we can do that,” Stephen says.

“The sense of community we feel, from professional chefs to mums and dads looking for local produce, is just as fulfilling as the food they make from what we grow.”

Find Golden Mile Produce on Rapaura Road, at the Marlborough Farmer’s Market each Sunday, or learn more about Olive Press Marlborough at olivepressmarlborough.co.nz.