Posted by on
01/04/2020
If you want something tasty and healthy to eat, carrots are a perfect choice – that’s something that vegetable producer and Rabobank client Mark Kable is quick to point out as we near International Carrot Day on April 4.
As the co-owner of Tasmania-based Harvest Moon, one of Australia’s largest carrot growers, Mark loves that he is producing a product that is providing consumers with so many benefits.
“Carrots are one of our three big crops, along with broccoli and onions, and are one of the most commonly purchased products by consumers,” Mark said.
“We’re all about growing healthy, fresh food and carrots tick a lot of the boxes. They are a source of beta-carotene, fibre, potassium and are high in antioxidants. They are a great, healthy product to grow and promote!”
What’s more, Mark said Tasmania is an ideal place for growing flavoursome carrots.
“They do extremely well down here in our cool summer climate, and with our soils we grow a beautiful carrot,” he added.
“Around Australia, the majority of carrots are grown in sand, but ours grow in rich red volcanic soils. This gives them extremely good eating qualities and extremely good keeping qualities, so we can export our carrots all around the world and they will turn up at their destination in good condition.”
And Harvest Moon is making it even easier for everyone to enjoy a tasty carrot treat with the introduction of their new Snackables carrots.
Mark found the carrot for their Snackables at a field day in Holland five years ago and Harvest Moon has the proprietary rights to grow it in Australasia.
“That carrot is a purpose grown carrot, fully mature, sweet and juicy and just right for our Snackables brand,” he said.
“Our Snackable carrots are about offering healthy snacking solutions. It’s around convenience, it’s perfect for lunch boxes, and on-the-go healthy snacks."
"In time we also have plans for other products under the Snackable brand (watch this space)," Mark added.
“There is a real trend and push in our industry for healthy options and Snackables easily fills the bill. It’s something we are really excited about.”
The Snackables product was developed in conjunction with Harris Farm Markets in Sydney and will also be rolled out by Woolworths nationally in July this year.
Mark’s passion for carrots is also evident in his support for International Carrot Day, with Harvest Moon previously opening its doors for the day in celebration.
“It was a great opportunity for us to show the general public who we are and create some awareness around grading, washing, packing and distributing carrots. It was a huge success and everything was booked out weeks and weeks in advance,” he said.
While this year’s celebrations at Harvest Moon had to be cancelled due to coronavirus, Mark is preparing for an even bigger and better event next year, and will be opening up even more of their operations to the public. Keep an eye out for details on the Harvest Moon website.
Apart from carrots, broccoli and onions, Harvest Moon’s range of produce includes everything from beans, baby spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin and potatoes to Iceberg lettuce and fennel, to name a few.
Founded 37 years ago in Forth, Tasmania, the company now has sites in both Queensland and Victoria and employs about 400 people throughout the year.
In Tasmania alone, they produce about 60,000 tonnes of vegetables annually, with carrots making up from 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of the total. More than 80 growers in Queensland and Victoria supply an additional 30,000 tonnes of produce each year.
You can buy Harvest Moon carrots and produce from your local Harris Farms and Woolworths stores.