Fifth-generation growers Luke and Jasmine Franklin operate a celery growing business to the northwest of Auckland. The Franklin family celery operation began on a small block of land in Mt Roskill over a century ago, before the family decided to move to the small settlement of Waimauku. Over the years they managed to acquire neighbouring land growing celery and are now producing 1500 cases each week.
Franklin Farm currently occupies a 28-hectare property at Waimauku, northwest of Auckland. Twelve hectares are used to grow crops while the rest of the land is used for water storage and for farming sheep. During the winter months, Franklin Farm supplies celery primarily to Auckland, with a smaller volume sent to Palmerston North. By October, the growing operation and its neighbour are supplying celery to the whole country.
Source: hortnz.co.nz