YOUR LEVY AT WORK
Different rules create concern Independent fruit and vegetable retailers found regulations confusing during the Level 4 lockdown with some able to remain trading as supermarkets were, and others not. By Glenys Christian Auckland greengrocer Jack Lum was forced to close its doors in late March despite making preparations to trade as an essential service and being able to do so for two days.
Initially they were told they were doing everything right, but that all changed two days later when on a second visit the store was told to close immediately.
Mike Lum, the son of the owner, who has worked full-time in the Remuera business for the last 37 years, said they had expected a police visit and believed they had the necessary social distancing and hygiene practices in place.
“We had to get rid of everything,” he says.
Horticulture New Zealand Notice of the 15th Annual General Meeting Friday 25 September 2020 at 12.30pm (Zoom available) Pukekohe Indian Centre, Pukekohe
Business 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Welcome and Apologies Voting and Proxies Obituaries Approve Minutes of the 14th AGM President’s and Chief Executive’s Report on HortNZ’s Activities Approve Audited Financial Statements for year ended 31 March 2020 Levy Rate Director Remuneration Approve 2020/21 Budget Approve Auditors for 2020/21 Results of 2020 Director Elections and announcement of Appointed Director 12 Notices of Motion 13 General Business
Call for Notices of Motion Any Board Member, Affiliated Organisation or Active Grower Member wishing to have a matter considered at the AGM must give notice in writing to the Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand of the notice of motion no later than Friday, 7 August 2020 at 5.00pm. Notices should include the wording of the motion to be voted on and up to one A4 page of explanatory notes. Notices of motions will be listed on HortNZ’s website www.hortnz.co.nz on 14 August 2020 and will feature in the HortNZ magazines (September issue). 12
The ORCHARDIST : AUGUST 2020
There was no talk of independent retailers banding together despite Jack Lum’s gaining the support of local Member of Parliament, ACT leader, David Seymour. He said it was a matter of equity with the government failing to give clear directions or rules.
We don’t have a lot of clout and our margins are very fine,” Mike says Stock which was on hand at the store was wholesaled at a substantial discount to another independent fruit and vegetable retailer who was able to remain open and the shop closed its doors. The business received the first government subsidy and so was able to pay staff over the 12-week period for which it lasted. That was topped up once the eligibility period finished and now after reopening on May 23 some of the ten staff are taking holidays or working minimal hours, while still grateful to be employed. Business is nowhere near normal with sales volumes still estimated at 30% down. “We’re not doing the turnover,” Mike says. “And we don’t know what the outlook is. The Saturday we reopened we expected it would be like a long weekend, but it wasn’t.” While some customers said they missed the shop being open, he believes a number have switched to online purchasing of fruit and vegetables or delivery of meal kits. “We can weather just about anything, but we don’t want to be banging our heads against a brick wall,” he adds. His hope is that with warmer spring weather people will be entertaining at home more, and fruit and vegetable sales volumes will increase substantially.
