Even in a typical year, no two days or seasons are the same for New Zealand's produce growers. No one knows this better than Justin Dykhoff, Foodstuffs South Island's Produce Manager, who, together with his team of people based in Christchurch, is responsible for buying a significant portion of South Island's produce that can be found in PAK'nSAVE, New World, Four Square and Raeward Fresh stores.
Dykhoff's been choosing the pick of the pack for 12 years now and says this year has been like no other, with extreme weather and higher-than-average rainfall impacting this year's winter crops.
"While we haven't been as badly impacted in the South Island compared to the North, low propagation or new seedlings for some produce like strawberries is going to limit supply, and that means customers are likely to see a huge variety of what fruit and vegetables are available from week to week," said Dykhoff.
He continued that products produced nationally in one region, like Northland kūmara, have been impacted across both islands and hothouse-grown products like tomatoes because of low sun and disease.
Dykhoff said planning meals around what's in season and in-store will help Kiwis get more value from their grocery shop.
"Supermarkets can source some produce year-round, but the best value is always when it's in peak season. That's when it is plentiful in supply."
Dykhoff's pick of the pack this season is broccoli, having grown well in the South Island this year, coupled with great-tasting staples like carrots and parsnips. He added that Brussel sprouts were another great winter crop currently available.
"Potatoes from Invercargill, Dunedin and Canterbury are extremely versatile and represent great value. Winter vegetables like Canterbury pumpkin and Nelson cabbage also offer value-for-money due to their large size."
On average, cabbages weigh around 1.8 kilograms, making the value a customer can get from one cabbage for a home-cooked dinner pretty substantial.
Fruit like green and gold kiwifruit and Nelson apples are full of vitamins. They are a perfect in-season option for kids' lunchboxes, with Dykhoff continuing that the difference between gold kiwifruit the green by its smoother skin.
Customers should keep an eye out for what's in store regularly.
Dykhoff explained that for some parts of the country, it would be a pretty topsy-turvy season for produce, so he suggested customers stay flexible to get the best value.
"If you need a helping hand, lean on online tools for recipe ideas like the PAKn'SAVE Savey Meal-bot app and New World recipe website to make the most of what you've got."
