I write a little blog for insiders dunedin (www.insidersdunedin.co.nz) and i thought it appropriate that i share these wonderful food heroes of mine with you on my food blog. As i just want to say a big thank you for all their hard work and endless passion and delicious fruit and veges!

I have been sinking my teeth and licking my lips a lot lately thanks to all this glorious Central Otago stone fruit.  There are not many places in the world where you can get fruit of this quality and variety and better still straight from the grower like we do here in Otago; which brings me proudly to this week ‘Local Food Hero’ Simon and his dad Evan Donaldson from Rosedale Orchards.

LOCAL FOOD HERO – SIMON AND EVAN DONALDSON

ROSEDALE ORCHARDS, ROXBURGH CENTRAL OTAGO

Evan and Simon are born and bred Roxburgh locals so I imagine fruit growing is kind of in their blood however this doesn’t make it any easier.  If like me you readily grab a piece of fruit and munch away on it without much thought to what it took to produce it; let me tell you after my walk around thousands of fruit laden trees which have to be constantly pruned, watered, frost-beaten and then picked, packed, graded and finally sold.  I now take a moment to say thanks for all the fruit I gobble down as this is a job which doesn’t stop 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Simon is a young grower and one that we need to hold on to, as this seems to be dying trade as the endless hours combined with the high risk and stress levels (battling with Mother Nature) and endless days and nights combating frosts, diseases and general daily issues could put the faint hearted off.  But after strolling around their beautiful orchards which produce stone fruit, apples, pears and a little diversification into juice, corn, pumpkin and potatoes and seeing how effortless they grab the odd damaged fruit or prune a brunch whilst talking and walking  I am a little envious they are living the dream.  If it wasn’t for Simon and his Dad and all the other growers what we would be eating? It certainly wouldn’t be sun-ripened, freshly picked Central Otago fruit.

Thank you for every glorious mouthful of juicy fruit which you supply my family and many others with throughout the year!

You can get your hands on their magnificent fruit at ROSEDALE ORCHARD stall at the Otago Farmers Market every Saturday!