Emphasis on marketing

Press, 16 April 1986, Page 31

Emphasis on marketing

This year’s South Island Horticultural Trade Fair, the fifth, is placing particular emphasis on marketing and the end uses of produce. The show, which is jointly organised by the Canterbury Growers’ Society and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has as its theme the treatment of horticultural produce from the paddock to the plate, according to the executive officer, Mr Robin Adams.

This year’s show had attracted more trade exhibitors than ever, Mr Adams said, coming from as far afield as Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. The range of exhibitors was very pleasing, Mr Adams said, and while the show was really aimed at commercial horticulturists, there was plenty to interest members of the

general public. He suggested that if anyone was considering branching out into growing horticultural produce or flowers in a small way, the range of green houses and tunnel houses at the show would be helpful and informative. As well, the M.E.D. would be demonstrating the newly-released dehydrator, which dries and preserves fruit and vegetables, and there would be microwave cooking and bee-keeping demonstrations.

A huge garden mulcher will be at the show and the Railways will have a 12m container there as part of a materials-hand-ling display. Members of the public interested in attending the show could find time after work today or tomorrow, Mr Adams suggested, because it ran until 6 p.m.

each day. Interest in the two seminars to be run in conjunction with the show appeared to be very good, with enquiries coming from all over the South Island beforehand. The seminars had a good line-up of speakers and enrolments were being accepted at the door.

“These seminars are to inform the grower of the type of thing he would be producing for the market. It is time that happened,” Mr Adams said. Facilities at Canterbury Court were excellent for the show, he said. The pavilion was heated and extra phones had been installed for the use of exhibitors and visitors. The restaurant will be open for the duration of the show to provide tea and coffee, or full meals. Entrance to the show is

from the main gates on Lincoln Road, and patrons will find the way well sign-posted from there.

Mr Bruce Russell, an Irwell farmer and A. and P. association member, is chairman of the organising committee of this year’s South Island Horticultural Trade Fair.

In his message of welcome, Mr Russell urged visitors to take the opportunity to view the latest in machinery and technological advances in the horticultural industry. “The seminar programme commences at 1.30 p.m. on both days and it is hoped that you will take part in these interesting and informative lectures. The venue for these seminars will be the theatrette building within Canterbury Courts, at a cost of $4 per head per seminar,” Mr Russell said.