Although a versatile vegetable, celery has often been overlooked, however, the cost of celery has dropped dramatically recently.
According to the latest Stats NZ Food Price Index for July, the cost of celery was reduced by 56 percent compared to last year,
Foodstuffs South Island Produce Manager Justin Dykhoff said that celery was now back in abundance, and customers saw great value in its presence on shelves.
“We’ve seen a bounce back of whole celery bunches being sold compared to last year, where limited supply meant Kiwis were opting for halves instead,” said Dykhoff.
“Volume has returned, and that’s reflected in the value we see. In some cases, a whole bunch is now cheaper than a half was last year.”
Celery is grown all year round and thrives in moist and slightly acidic soil. Wayne Wycherley, owner of Rangeview Produce based in Oamaru, has supplied Foodstuffs South Island’s PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and Raeward Fresh stores with celery.
He said it was great to see the plentiful supply return.
“We’ve had optimal growth conditions over summer, with lots of sunlight and rain, which has meant celery plants have just flourished. The quality is amazing, but there’s great value for Kiwis too.”
Celery is often purchased alongside other vegetables depending on the season: root crops in winter for roasts and soups or leafy crops for summer salads. It is a great vegetable to add alongside hummus or cream cheese in kid’s lunch boxes.
It also contains a high volume of water and nutrients like potassium, folate, choline, vitamin A, and vitamin K. It is great for winter-warming recipes like chicken pie or a tuna salad for lunch.
Celery can be used for more than cheese platters or garnish in a Bloody Mary cocktail. As with many New Zealand-grown vegetables, last year's cyclones and poor weather reduced the supply of celery.
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