Jessie Loomans’ son, Charlie lends a hand
They may have wondered whether the fruits of their labour were destined to be sent down the river, but Piopio Berry Orchard held tight.
Jessie Loomans serving Piopio Berry Orchard’s famous ice-cream
The October storms that ravaged parts of the King Country were not enough to send the orchard’s balance sheet into the red. Instead, there will be no berry shortage this Christmas, shop manager Jessie Loomans said.
“We were actually very lucky. While the flooding was the highest it has ever been here, it was before our season had started so we were fortunate to not have any long term repercussions for our crops.
“We did have some anxious moments, but didn’t we all? It was pretty unbelievable weather.”
Founded by Angela and Mike Roy in the early 1990s, Piopio Berry Orchard is a family affair. All four of couple’s children (including Jessie) as well as some of their partners and their children are involved with various aspects of the business – and business is good.
When The News editor Roy Pilott called in for an ice cream, strawberries and asparagus last Sunday as the sun beat down, there was a queue to get a park.
“It’s looking like a really good year for us,” Loomans said. “We grow strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Overall, we pick around 85 tonnes with almost all of the berries sold through our roadside shop.”
The orchard’s founder, Mike Roy, inspects the family’s crop
Not all berries are created equal. There are notable differences between this orchard and others.
While the weather – especially cold snaps – can impact berry growers throughout the country, Piopio’s generally cool climate is beneficial, and as it’s the only berry farm for 100km, pests and diseases are less problematic, Mike Roy told The News last year.
In addition, because the orchard’s fruit is not all destined for supermarkets, it need not be picked before it’s at its best to ensure survival along bumpy country roads.
This difference aside, there is no special recipe as such for Piopio Berry Orchard’s success.
“We don’t have any secrets – we have the same varieties as other growers throughout the country,” said Roy. “We do things in a more traditional way and we don’t cut any corners. That’s what our customers expect, and that’s what we enjoy growing.”
Located on SH3 near Piopio, the orchard’s store sells ice creams, smoothies, preserves and berry muffins in addition to fresh and frozen berries.
It’s berry season
The company expects to be able to meet orders up until Christmas and beyond, but there is no official cut-off, and the family’s famous ice-creams, ideal for hot holiday travellers, will be available all summer long.
Not too far afield, Monavale Blueberries (near Cambridge) is also expecting a bumper season.
“It’s looking good – so far, so good, but don’t tempt fate, please!” company director, Kathryn (Kathy) De Groot said.
The northern King Country bore the brunt of the storms in October, while Waipā experienced more rain than usual, but Monavale did not sustain serious losses.
“Well, we may have lost some berries in the storms but nothing significant,” Kathy said. “Storms always come at the wrong time, but this year we’ve not had anything really catastrophic at all. So, it’s looking wonderful and we’re very happy.”
Jessie Loomans’ son, Charlie lends a hand
