Corn makes Christmas hit
Gisborne's record hot dry summer weather has produced rewards for one of the country's largest commercial growers based in the region - Leaderbrand.
It says Kiwis are munching their way through hundreds of thousands of bags every week. Spinach sales now represent a third of the total leafy green market.
Spinach growers, LeaderBrand, says it is not surprised as spinach sales have grown nearly 8% in the last year, the equivalent of almost 700,000 bags.
It says Kiwis are looking for healthy alternatives they can easily incorporate into their busy schedules and spinach hits the mark. It says spinach is a soft and delicate leaf and one of the easiest leafy greens you can add to every meal throughout the day.
Kylie Faulkner from LeaderBrand says spinach can be included into everything from a smoothie in the morning, adding some leaves to a sandwich or throwing handfuls into your curry, the options are endless. She says as the weather gets warmer, the supply of spinach is going to become more consistent.
"We are always at the mercy of Mother Nature, particularly through the winter months. Spinach doesn't love lots of rain, which results in less supply. As we move into spring, things are starting to heat up and crop cycles will get shorter in the warmer weather with longer daylight hours," she says.
According to Faulkner, the average spinach cycle in winter is about 60 days, but during the warmer periods that cuts down to about 25 days from seed to harvest. She says LeaderBrand grows spinach both outside and indoors to ensure a consistent supply.
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"Spinach gives you a huge opportunity to increase your vegetable intake as it's so versatile. It also provides you with vital nutrients that are important for your health," she says.
