In the early years of farming, our strawberries were traditionally grown in the ground on mounded beds. Now 100% of our strawberries are grown sustainably in tabletops at waist height in coir media.
Tabletop growing has improved the natural environment of our land and waterways. Growing this way enables us to use less water and fertiliser to maintain a healthy crop. Irrigation is managed electronically and is directly drip-fed to every plant. The environment of tabletops is a great habitat for beneficial and predatory insects to co-exist. The introduction of carefully selected IPM (Integrated Pest Management) allows us to create a sustainable ecosystem reducing negative pressures.
Sustainable Farming
Many of our employees return each season and these staff members are an integral part of our business. It is the experience of these team members that helps us to maintain the quality which we strive for at Taste ‘n’ See.
We also employ additional workers each season. Please visit our Employment page for more information.
We take satisfaction in knowing we go beyond industry requirements for employment practices and food safety standards. Taste ‘n’ See is proud to be certified annually through Freshcare, HARPS and Fair Farms. These certifications ensure you can have confidence in supporting us as a business - we take great pride in maintaining our ethical responsibilities.
Farming Built on Relationships
Over the Summer months we prepare the tabletops for planting.
We plant in March and April. The strawberry runners come from certified runner growers from QLD, NSW, VIC.
Approximately 6 weeks later, picking and packing commences in April and May. The volume in fruit increases and reaches a peak in September.
The pickers start work early in the morning to harvest the fruit.
Fruit is weighed in the field and transported to the onsite packing facility. The strawberry trays are then put into the cold room to be cooled before they are packed.
From Us to You…
The Process in Simple Steps
1
Prep
Over the Summer months we prepare the tabletops for planting.
Old grow bags are replaced and irrigation is installed.
2
Planting
We plant in March and April. The strawberry runners come from certified runner growers from QLD, NSW & VIC.
Approximately 6 weeks later, picking and packing commences in April and May.
3
Picking
The pickers start work early in the morning to harvest the fruit.
Fruit is weighed in the field and transported to the onsite packing facility.
4
Packing
The packers sort, grade and carefully pack the strawberries into punnets.
Each punnet is quality checked, placed into the cartons and stacked onto pallets which, are again, returned to the cool room to ensure product reaches 1-4°C
5
Deliverd to Coles
During the harvest season, refrigerated transports collect orders everyday so that our fresh strawberries can start their journey directly to Coles.
The fruit is cooled to ensure it will remain fresh. This keeps the strawberries firm, prevents bruising while packing - providing good shelf life.
The packers sort, grade and carefully pack the strawberries into punnets.
Each punnet is quality checked, placed into cartons and stacked onto pallets which, are again, returned to the cool room to ensure produce reaches 1 – 4 degrees Celsius.
During the harvest season, refrigerated transports collect orders everyday so that our fresh strawberries can start their journey directly to Coles distribution centres throughout Queensland, New South Wales & Victoria.
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