Farmlands partners with Blackcurrent to launch FLEX for farmers
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
The event, held on-site at its new site on Omahu Road, brought together a group of long-standing shareholders, current and former staff, and members of the board of directors and leadership team.
A company statement says the evening was a reflection on the co-operative’s deep roots in Hawke's Bay, a heartland for New Zealand's horticulture and agriculture sectors.
In addition to celebrating the growth and resilience of the region, the evening was full of rich and emotional stories of the men and women in the area who had the vision to create the co-op, shared by their sons and daughters who still tend to the land today. The new hub was showcased as a symbol of Farmlands’ ongoing commitment to support farmers and growers of the region.
Farmlands board chair, Rob Hewett reflected on the co-op's enduring purpose and the loyalty of its shareholders.
"For 63 years, Farmlands has stood alongside the farmers and growers of Hawke's Bay. Each person here tonight has played a role in our past, present, and future," he said. "This new site isn’t just about looking back; it’s a powerful symbol of our unwavering support for this region and a promise to continue investing for the future."
Farmlands CEO Tanya Houghton spoke about the significance of the investment for the local community.
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“We are incredibly proud to continue investing in a region we've been a part of for so long,” Houghton said.
“By bringing our retail, regional, and horticulture hub services together, we are creating an experience that is targeted to the evolving needs of our customers. This site is an example of our strategy in action, showing up for our shareholders with tangible, on-the-ground improvements.” The site is designed to bring convenience to farmers and growers throughout the region.
The event concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting and a tour of the new facility. As a memento of the occasion, attendees were given a living gift of a native plant, grown by The Native Dairy Farmer, a Farmlands shareholder, as a symbol of the co-operative's deep roots and continued growth in the community.
