What we do
Handpicked Crew is the seasonal employment initiative for the summerfruit industry run by Summerfruit NZ.
The initiative came about in response to the critical worker shortage that occurred when New Zealand’s borders closed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In previous seasons the harvest workforce had been made up of roughly one-third New Zealanders, one-third international backpackers and one-third RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) workers.
A campaign was needed to attract New Zealanders and people unable to leave the country to help with seasonal work and so the Handpicked campaign began.
Right now, there are loads of jobs available on orchards, vineyards and in packhouses in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago regions.
Plum Facts
The Paramu, Plum, mature from summer through to autumn, so are currently at the peak of their season.
A few fun facts……
- Plums contain higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruit and they are also a great source of vitamin A, potassium and dietary fibre.
- Plums are stone fruit (drupes) related to the cherry and are members of the rose family.
- The dusty white coating often found on plums is a coating created by the plum itself to decrease surface wetting and moisture loss.
- There are hundreds of plum varieties worldwide; most varieties of plums are either Japanese or European.
