Supplier: Cannock Harvest

Cannock Harvest is a family-run farm in the Rangitikei where Tom and Melissa Welch (pictured) grow the pumpkins t- the source of our Hopper Shop pumpkin seeds. Since 1924, when Tom's grandfather took the lease of the land, the 100 acre farm has been a dairy farm. Part of the farm is still in dairy, but the family wanted a change, and that is when Melissa and Tom looked into New Zealand grown pumpkin seeds. They soon found out that there's not many farmers doing this in New Zealand, and they wanted to do their part to make the pumpkin seeds supply local. Their three boys of age 4, 6 and 8 help out sometimes as well. "We want to teach out sons what we know, so they can go forward", Tom says.

You may have noticed the seeds look quite different to the ones you see in the supermarket. "They're bigger and greener. These 'naked' pumpkin seeds, without a tough shell around the seed, are a special variety of pumpkin, the same species as a zucchini. The peels around the seeds, are very nutritious and great for gut health." That's why Tom decided to leave them on the seeds.

You need to grow a lot of pumpkin for a little bit of seed, about 100 grams of dried seed per pumpkin. The harvester machine picks the pumpkins, cuts it and puts the flesh through a sieve, the seeds come out and the flesh goes back onto the land as nutrients for the next crop. "The farm has always been a source of income, but the family cares for the land and the ecology above all", says Tom. Retired paddocks get replanted with native trees.

If you are interested in the journey of Cannock Harvest, give them a follow on Facebook or have a look on their website for delicious recipes. In 2019 they also featured on a Country Calendar episode!