Pukekohe’s Fong family marks 75 years of vegetable growing, calls for Govt support for sector

This year will mark the 75th anniversary of Allan and Colin Fong’s father growing vegetables commercially in Pukekohe . The family has continued to produce fresh vegetables for New Zealanders ever since, through many sector changes. Their growing operation has expanded from just over five hectares to about 255, and they have been at the forefront of adapting to changing consumer demands, including pioneering mesclun salad.

Now, as growers face an increasing raft of regulations, Allan Fong said Government action was needed to ensure New Zealand growers could continue to adapt and keep the country supplied with fresh vegetables at affordable prices. He is supporting calls by Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) for the Government to acknowledge how important enabling the supply of fresh vegetables is to the nation’s health..