In the wake of the catastrophic floods that wreaked havoc in the wider Auckland regions at the close of January 2023, one local grower found themselves facing a rather challenging situation with their crop of leeks. Here’s the very Wonky journey we undertook to salvage their leek crop and how together we stepped in to ensure that no food was lost and the grower didn't suffer financial loss.
Just before the floods came, their small team spent days working the soil, getting it ready to plant leek seeds. Just as it was ready, the floods hit. The deluge washed away the topsoil, leaving behind a sticky, sludgy, wet mess that couldn't be cultivated for about 5-6 weeks. There was simply no alternative patch for planting the leeks, as all the other plots were already filled with different vegetables. They had to be planted in this specific area, but without the right soil conditions, leeks wouldn't grow. After the water finally receded, the soil required several days to dry out before it could be reworked and cultivated, making it ready for the leek seedlings. Finally, the leeks were in the ground!
The six-week delay posed a significant problem. We learnt whilst speaking to the grower that leeks, especially when they're young, need approximately six weeks of warmer temperatures to establish and begin developing before the colder winter weather sets in. By the time they were planted, the chilly temperatures had arrived, stunting their growth. Fast forward to today, and the leeks are still lagging in their development. However, they must be harvested now to prepare the field for the next crop rotation. Leaving them in the ground would risk them "bolting" or going to flower prematurely, and the field wouldn't be ready for the next planting. But there’s more, the leeks' size is too small for the main retail markets, and some don’t meet cosmetic standards e.g. they have suffered damage from hail on top, although they are totally edible!
Despite these challenging events, the grower has managed to plant approximately 100,000 leeks. We have committed to purchasing these leeks directly from the grower, ensuring that no food goes to waste and that the grower doesn't experience financial setbacks.
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This month’s Wonky Pantry is packed with rescued snacks, fresh produce, and pantry staples that deserve a second chance. Shop our Autumn rescues!
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