Southern parsnips board first direct flight to Auckland customers

Monday’s inaugural direct flight from Invercargill to Auckland will see a passenger of a different kind take flight, as one pallet-load of Southland-grown parsnips will be stowed on board and air freighted to customers in Auckland.

Southern produce growing company So Sweet has always prided itself on providing the sweetest, freshest produce and the new direct flight will provide an even faster way for its produce to reach its Auckland customers in the freshest condition.

So Sweet Managing Director Matthew Malcolm said it was a game changer for their operations.

“We’ll be able to service our suppliers quicker providing favourable opportunities to expand our customer base, which is going to give great flow-on effects to our regional economy,” he said.

So Sweet uses road freight and would be trialling the new air delivery method to determine its effectiveness as a replacement for certain markets.

“We anticipate costs will be similar, our carbon footprint is unlikely to increase due to more efficient delivery and it will allow produce to reach stores quicker and fresher, providing a better product to customers,” Malcolm said.

The recent introduction of its organic line of produce may also join the air freight, as current demand had been huge across the North Island.

“It’s encouraging to see our national carrier supporting our regions and enabling the local business community to have an avenue to remain competitive in the national market.”

So Sweet currently supplies a range of seasonal and year-round vegetables New Zealand-wide including their well-known parsnips and bunched carrots.