Q: Is it possible to purchase fresh produce directly from Turners & Growers?
A: Yes, provided you have an account with us. For details on how to open an account please contact helpinghand@turnersandgrowers.com
Q: I am considering growing produce commercially, who can I contact to obtain market information?
A: If you are planning to set-up a growing operation, our recommendation would be to contact NZ Vegetable Federation Inc and/or NZ Fruit Federation directly.
www.vegfed.co.nz
www.fruitgrowers.org.nz
Q: I am a teacher, can I get resources such as posters from you?
A: For excellent educational resources we recommend contacting the New Zealand 5+aday office, freephone 0800 507 555 (calling within New Zealand).
Q: What is Controlled Atmosphere storage?
A: Controlled Atmosphere storage, C.A., is a post harvest storage technique designed to preserve fruit quality over an extended window, that has been successfully used by New Zealand fruit growers since the early 1980s. CA works on the basic principle of slowing the apples respiration and hence preserving storage longevity. To do this fruit is selected of optimum maturity by growers, cooled to storage temperature (0.5 deg Celsius) and then placed within 7 days of harvest into CA. CA rooms have nitrogen generators which upon flushing the room generate a atmosphere of 96% nitrogen, 2% oxygen and 2 %carbon dioxide (note the air we breath outside is 21% oxygen, 0.3 % carbon dioxide, balance nitrogen and water vapour). Fruit use oxygen during respiration and by combing a lower temperature and lower oxygen rates, the rate of respiration is slowed, and hence the conversion of the fruits energy (starch) is slowed, allowing for a longer storage life.
Please feel free to contact us at helpinghand@turnersandgrowers.com with any other questions.