| 41 T T Richard Loader Growing vegies and teaching values Scottfresh’s relocation to North Canterbury was driven by the region’s warmer winter climate. Scottfresh REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Providing local high school students with employment during the summer school holidays is one way that North Canterbury vegetable grower Scottfresh gives back to the community of Hurunui that has been so supportive of the business since it commenced operations there 18 years ago. “I think it’s the right thing to do; it teaches them some pretty good values around work and shows them that horticulture is more than just harvesting lettuces,” says Ben Scott, whose father started growing vegetables in Marshland on the edge of Christchurch, back in the ’70s. “We don’t hire anyone under 14 years of age, and we pay fairly and provide performance bonuses on top of wages, based on team output. That applies to all our team, including RSE workers, students and backpackers. We have a permanent team of 10 to 12, but always have up to 30 full-time equivalents on the farms, including RSE workers from Vanuatu, and a mix of local people including school kids and backpackers.” Ben says horticulture is an industry that is massively short of talent, and if someone is prepared to do the hard graft and show they can cut lettuces for a summer or two and aspire to other roles, the world is their oyster. “There are roles in production, agronomy, and leadership roles. Our current production manager started with us as a tractor driver when he was 18 and our previous operations manager started as a lettuce harvester; so there are definitely opportunities for career progression within our business and the industry.” Scottfresh’s relocation to North Canterbury, starting in the Claverely area and expanding into Spotswood, was driven by the region’s warmer winter climate. “It was the only place that you could grow produce outdoors during the winter. Where we are located, we’re almost frost free, but it also has a good mix of well-drained soils, and we have fantastic access to irrigation and infrastructure for the summer.” Across operations in Claverley and Spotwood, Scottfresh now has 200 hectares growing iceberg lettuce, broccoli and baby-leaf greens – spinach and mesclun. While there are some seasonal peaks and troughs, Scottfresh’s growing season is reasonably consistent throughout the year across all lines, with all growing done outside in the paddock. “Both farms have chillers and handling facilities, but one of our most significant pieces of infrastructure is a vacuum chiller, which allows us to cool everything as soon as it comes out of the paddock. “That has allowed us to do bagged iceberg lettuce, which is by far our biggest product. The iceberg lettuce and broccoli is sold to supermarkets through a couple of national intermediaries. The spinach and mesclun is processed and marketed by a third party under the Clearwater Gardens brand, and while a lot of it will go to the supermarkets, some will also go to food service.” Ben says Scottfresh’s success is very much about dedicated people, who are passionate about the business and keen to step up. “It’s also about the area we’re in. People are interested in our business, welcoming and they give us opportunity – be that lease land or allowing their children to work in the business. That’s why we love it there.” “It teaches them some pretty good values around work and shows them that horticulture is more than just harvesting lettuces.” Proud to be the vegetable seed supplier to Scottfresh Proud to be a supplier to Sco�resh. Suppliers to the Hor�culture Industry throughout New Zealand, your flexible packaging one stop shop Ristrom Packaging (2004) Limited Phone: (03) 358-6082 Email: sales@ristrom.co.nz
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