| 53 Bay Blueberries T T Lindy Andrews Loving her blueberries The small but mighty blueberry is a powerhouse of vitamin C and antioxidants, a superfood that’s a global favourite, with stars including former Beatle Ringo Starr, now in his 80s, crediting blueberries with their good health and seemingly boundless energy. For Hastings boutique grower, Marian Hirst, blueberries are a passion. Twenty years after she planted her first trial block, Bay Blueberries produces some 350,000 punnets annually. The Hirst family’s clients include Hawke’s Bay New World supermarkets and Bellatino’s Food Lovers Markets, both avid supporters of local growers. Other premium outlets include Wellington’s Moore Wilson, Auckland’s Farro, and a range of selected supermarkets, fruiterers and specialist food stores. Bay Blue exports to valued customer partners in Australia and Southeast Asia. The Hirst family were originally apple orchardists. Marian plucked her first “little pick” of blueberries from the trial block in 2008. Today, the Bay Blue orchard is under intensive production, with blueberries grown both in the field and under cover. “We have grown steadily,” she says, with more than a hint of pride in her voice. “Since that first planting, we have expanded, consistently concentrating on growing beautiful fruit.” The much-coveted Bay Blue brand is also sold at the orchard gate – along with frozen berries, a delectable blueberry ice-cream and sorbet, as well as a range of premium artisan products including tartes, blueberry conserve and “to die for” patés des fruites – the perfect accompaniment to cheese. Marian’s working day starts at the crack of dawn. “I get up around 5am and start checking in with everybody – the packhouse, harvest team, and look at the orchard gate roster.” For Hastings boutique grower, Marian Hirst, blueberries are a passion. Bay Blue grows a number of varieties, each carefully chosen first and foremost for an abundance of flavour. Cultivating a wide variety of berries also allows Marian to “dovetail” production to ensure a steady supply. “Last year we started picking at Labour Weekend. Normally we go well into May, but it has been hot so we might finish in April.” Hawke’s Bay’s consistently high temperatures suit blueberry growing to a “T” and this season Marian confesses to “feeling blessed.” In 2016, the quality of their produce, stellar operations and management earned Bay Blue the East Coast Region Ballance Farm Environmental Award. The past couple of years have not been entirely kind, though. In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle took its toll, and in January 2024 workers arrived to find the bushes stripped bare by thieves. The sophisticated night-time heist followed the theft of a truckload of strawberries from a Havelock North grower. Six months later, Marian turned that negative into a positive, leading an industry workshop on crop security, with growers, exporters and suppliers from all over the country attending. Despite setbacks, the award-winning businesswoman has never lost her passion. “I do love the people, growing the berries, growing a great team. I like improving my business skills, attitude and fitness,” says Marian, who enjoys weight training in her spare time, while confessing that she is so busy she doesn’t get to the gym as much she would like. Nearby, blueberries covered in a soft white bloom await the pickers’ hands. The waxy coating produced by the berries protects their skin from insects and bacteria. Just two microns thick, it helps to seal in the fruit’s natural moisture. This natural shield works to keep the plump, juicy little powerhouses fresh for longer and gives the blueberries their characteristic blue colour. 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