A visit to the Kelmarna Community Farm shop is more than just a transactional shopping experience. It’s actually a step into the inner world of the farm where philosophy meets practicality meets community.
Positioned in the heart of the farm, the shop is a two minute walk from the entrance through the veggie beds and fruit trees. You’ll likely see some of the type of produce you are coming to buy growing on your way in. It’s hard to get more local than that! All produce is picked the day before so you can’t get much fresher than that either. This is a key part of the philosophy of the farm in action – a place to allow the community to access certified organic produce grown locally and harvested fresh.
Another key component of Kelmarna’s kaupapa is to teach people about growing food and connect people with nature and the land. The shop is a hub for conversations about gardening, food, cooking, eating seasonally and for learning and exchanging ideas. Farm staff and volunteers are often around to give gardening tips and discuss the produce on sale and different ways to cook and eat it.
It’s also a great place to bring the children to look at the gardens and actually see where and how everything has been grown. Volunteer Rahul, who staffs the shop once a month on Saturday mornings, says: ‘Families come in, take a stroll around the farm to see the chickens and sheep then come into the shop to pick up their veggies and fruit and whatever else is on offer that day.’
Kelmarna marketing and events lead Katya Old agrees it’s a fun Saturday morning family trip. ‘Kids who grow up in cities often feel disconnected from where their food actually comes from; A visit to our Farm Shop is a fun way for the whole family to see how food is grown and what it takes to bring it to the table. It’s also a great way for kids to try new things!’
All produce in the shop is organic, seasonal and most is grown metres from the door. Autumn into winter is seeing a great selection of end of summer fruits like apples, feijoas, quinces, rhubarb, bananas and persimmons. Also on the shelves are carrots, squash, daikon, perpetual greens, bunching onions, Okinawa spinach, mitsuba, chicory and parsley.
In keeping with the philosophy of growing only what the land and climate can produce, staples such as organic kumara and potatoes are sourced from other local growers, as well as avocados and mushrooms at times.
A perennial favourite is the salad mix. It varies throughout the year of course but is always nutritious with edible flowers and herbs and includes unusual ingredients hard to find in supermarkets.
In summer the shop stocks honey from the Kelmarna bees and bunches of farm-grown flowers. Eggs are also on sale when available and lamb packs twice a year. Katya suggests keeping an eye on Instagram and Facebook stories for updates on what’s available on
particular days. ‘We’re going to start adding recipes and food ideas on our socials, so keep an eye out for those.’
Shop hours: Wednesdays 10am – 5pm, Saturdays 9am – 12 noon @kelmarnafarm
kelmarna.co.nz
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