Lewis Farms’ strategy deliver

LEWIS FARMS’

STRATEGY DELIVERS

Words by Andrew Bristol

Geoff Lewis, Catherine Lewis and Cam Lewis, the trio behind Lewis Farms

Lewis Farms’ strategy to turn as many seasonal positions into permanent roles as possible is going to plan, with 12 seasonal roles now permanent.

“As we expand our berryfruit operation, this number will continue to grow,” says Geoff Lewis. “The past season was our third harvest of strawberries, and it’s gone very well. More growth in this space will benefit the careers we can offer.”

At this stage in its evolution, Lewis Farms is probably more famous for its asparagus, which has been marketed under the Tendertips label for more than 35 years. “This season, net asparagus volumes were down on what we budgeted for because the Horowhenua had a very cool spring, so we had some quite big holes in our production. “The New Zealand asparagus industry is now predominantly reliant on the domestic market, which doesn’t make for an easy supply environment. For the industry to become internationally competitive again and get future export opportunities across the line, we need to become far less reliant on labour. This is why the automated harvest initiative, which the Ministry for Primary Industries is now supporting financially, is so critical to the future of our asparagus industry. “The world’s asparagus industry is also very interested in the project: so interested in fact that they are willing to invest in it, which in itself demonstrates New Zealand’s ability to innovate.”

While Lewis Farms’ interest in automation might seem contradictory to its strategy to grow as many permanent roles as possible, given horticulture’s chronic labour shortages, it’s actually not. “Labour is the biggest challenge facing horticulture in the Horowhenua, as well as the rest of the country,” says Cam Lewis. “We are competing for the same, shrinking pool of people, along with other industries like the meat works, which offer a greater number of permanent roles.” (Also see Woodhaven Gardens story.) “Horticulture in the Horowhenua has such a lot going for it: soil, climate and close proximity to markets, due to State Highway One. This also makes the Horowhenua very important for the rest of New Zealand’s supply of fresh vegetables. “At Lewis Farms, we are fortunate to have a loyal core workforce. However, it is hard not to be pessimistic in the current environment, and labour for harvest remains our biggest concern.”

Geoff expands on the subject of labour. “Let’s figure it out,” he says. “Young people entering the workforce don’t want to be picking asparagus. So, if New Zealanders want to eat fresh, locally-grown asparagus, we need to bring in workers from the Pacific for harvest until a long-term, automated harvest solution becomes viable. Otherwise, we’ll need to import asparagus, along with other labour-intensive vegetables like broccoli, or go without.” Geoff says horticulture was always aware there was some vulnerability around the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) labour scheme with the Pacific.

“Covid-19 has highlighted this vulnerability loud and clear. However, New Zealand needs a plan, and that plan could include one dedicated, industry-run Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facility to manage the entry and exit of workers from Covid-free Pacific countries.

We love the shop even though it is a lot of hard work, because it enables us to connect with customers

“I believe the government needs to take some responsibility for the situation, as it encouraged the industry to grow exponentially as part of New Zealand’s economic transformation. As a result, horticulture needs time and support to adapt and respond to the new situation.’

Connecting with customers important

Lewis Farms has had a shop in its packhouse for the past 30 years, selling solely asparagus up until three years ago. When the family started growing berryfruit, it expanded the shop considerably. Catherine Lewis says the shop opens at the start of the asparagus season in September. “It peaks with pick your own strawberries in mid-January, and we close around Easter. We love the shop even though it is a lot of hard work, because it enables us to connect with customers.”

Catherine says the industry is trying to grow demand for strawberries in New Zealand all year round. “Our strawberry season runs from October to May, but we are trying to make it longer to grow demand. New Zealanders traditionally see strawberries as a Christmas or summer treat, whereas overseas they are eaten throughout the year. “We see this situation as an opportunity to expand the industry by increasing the number of months in a year that locally grown strawberries are available.”

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