Working on the farm here beneath the Southern Alps has many upsides — the view, the fresh alpine air, the people. Internet speed? Well, we are on a mission!We’re on a mission to bring ‘fibre to the farm’!See the picture above? Well, this is currently how we are currently connected!Justin, our CEO, shot a shortRead more
Sugar is an important issue and many of our customers have asked whether we could make a jam with less sugar. After listening and tinkering in our farm kitchen we have changed our jam recipe which now boasts more fruit and less sugar. We know you’ll have lots of questions so we’ve tried to answerRead more
As more and more of us are becoming aware that our sugar intake needs to be moderated many of us are gravitating towards Lite or low calorie substitutes.And because of this Barker’s of Geraldine has created Lite fruit syrups and no refined sugar fruit syrups using all natural sweeteners. Read more to find out whatRead more
Our CEO, Justin Riley, congratulates Valmai on her 28 years service at Barker’s. Valmai who recently retired, will be one of nine employees being recognised for 25 years of service working at Barker’s of Geraldine, at our 45th Birthday celebration in September. “As a business we rarely stop to celebrate our successes, but celebrating 45Read more
Barker’s enjoys the sweet taste of success after 45 years on the family farm. MINDFOOD MAGAZINE The story of Barker’s of Geraldine is a tale about making dreams come true and how unassuming hard work and a belief in other people can be rewarded. In March 1969, Anthony and Gillian Barker made 1200 cases ofRead more
According to New Zealand research, blackcurrants may help athletes recover from the impact of exercise.A preliminary study by the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research found signs that an extract derived from New Zealand-grown blackcurrants, taken before and after exercise, could minimise muscle damage and inflammation, and support a healthy immune system.New ZealandRead more
Plenty of research substantiates blackcurrants potential role in strengthening and supporting a healthy immune system…including a study that identified a compound in these wee power punched berries that stimulates macrophages – cells which play a dual role in our body immune defence system.The Japanese research found that the fruit juice of blackcurrant contained a substance,Read more
My old company car, a Toyota Camry, takes its last ride out the gate with 340kms on the clock. Hidden under the touched up paint are the proud signatures of my daughter Libby and her friend, who, at the tender age of 3 years, used a stone to show off their advanced handwriting skills. ObviouslyRead more
When the ski fields are closed and you have time on your hands, what else do you do in Wanaka with your expanded family on a ski holiday? Bake fresh scones and make Crab Apple Jelly of course! Let me set the scene: Esther Mabin (nee Barker) looked out the window at the rain andRead more
Create some delicious, easy-to-prepare mocktails and cocktails to welcome your guests. Help celebrate with your friends with a tasty twist on a classic; enjoy bubbles with a splash of vitamin C; and flavours collide for a tangy yet smooth cocktail.We’ve tried and tested these for you. Each can be easily adapted with or without alcohol.
After decades of service at Barker’s of Geraldine, the old truck has finally been retired. Used since the late 1980’s, it was originally used to move all goods to and from the winery on the farm, which is 10km from Geraldine town. Old it might be, but it wasn’t the first truck! The first truck,Read more
Meet three generations of the White family who have worked for, or are still working at Barker’s. Anna, her mother Allie, and grandmother Nora! Nora worked on the original bottling line for Gillian & Anthony Barker, bottling Elderberry & Strawberry Wine before representing the Geraldine district on the local District Council! Daughter Allie, a nurse,Read more
The old ways are sometimes the best ways – or at least that’s what the continued success of Barker’s of Geraldine seems to say. KIA ORA MAGAZINE It’s a great time to be old fashioned, or so you’d have to think given the success of Barker’s of Geraldine. Launched 44 years ago as a cottageRead more
Barker’s of Geraldine has unveiled a new multi-fuel boiler as part of a $4 million investment to double steam capacity and increase export markets. TIMARU HERALD The food and beverage company has partnered with Energy For Industry (EFI) to replace two old diesel boilers and give the plant multi-fuel options. The new operation has aRead more
A great celebration of community, staff and friends at the formal opening of Barker’s new energy centre today. We celebrated with a BBQ in the garden, and Geraldine turned on the sun and fabulous mountain views for the media and our guests. We’re continuing its push towards green manufacturing and in partnership with Energy ForRead more
Alan Wood investigates what it takes to break into the Australian supermarket market. THE PRESS Barker’s of Geraldine has invested $4 million in its manufacturing plant near Geraldine as it launches syrups into Australian supermarkets for the first time. Australian supermarket chain Coles would start selling the Barker’s fruit syrups from late September; director andRead more
It began in a disused cowshed on a corner of the family farm and today is the biggest employer in town. One of new Zealand’s finest family businesses is 40 years old and still going strong. LIFE & LEISURE MAGAZINE 2011 GERALDINE IS A SMALL and picturesque South Canterbury town with an English feel toRead more
You would have to travel a long way from Barker’s rural doorstep in Geraldine to find a sweeter success story. PEAK MAGAZINE From humble beginnings as a 1960s-era hobby farm specializing in elderberry wine, the country-kitchen has gone on to produce a range of 400 products making Barker’s a staple in the nation’s cupboards andRead more
The Barker family crams a lot of living into their days on their Geraldine farm. Michael Barker looks back at his childhood and forward to the sweet life … REAL MAGAZINE It’s 40 years since Anthony Barker had the idea to make elderberry wine from the glut of wild berries scoured from riverbeds and gulliesRead more
Eating blackcurrants may help allergy-induces asthma sufferers breathe more easily by working with the body’s immune system to reduce inflammation in the lungs, claim New Zealand scientists.Research from New Zealand’s Plant and Food Research laboratories has shown evidence that chemicals in the berry may work with the bodies’ natural defences to attack the causes ofRead more
A Canterbury blackcurrant farmer cum practicing science consultant, Jane Lancaster, might have uncovered a way…to reduce lactic acid build up leading to muscle cramp and hence assist endurance athletes to improve performance.The NZ Blackcurrant Cooperative asked Lancaster to review international scientific evidence from clinical trials using blackcurrants in order to understand how an extract ofRead more
Blackcurrants have already earned a reputation as potentially being amongst the healthiest fruits thanks to its high antioxidants content…but in New Zealand, where a massive five per cent for the world’s crop is grown, researchers have been investigating ways to make them even more beneficial to our wellbeing.The New Zealand Institute of Plant & FoodRead more
Seven top healthy compounds in berry fruitsThere is heaps of recent scientific research that indicate positive effects of blackcurrants on both the mind and body – from inhibiting the flu virus and reducing inflammation to enhancing gut health, improving skin, lifting moods and improving cognitive function. So what is it in these berries that packsRead more
What does high anthocyanin antioxidant activity of NZ blackcurrants mean for our health?Dr Carolyn Lister of the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research has shown that premium New Zealand blackcurrants have a higher total antioxidant activity than the European bilberry, which has often been reported as having the richest antioxidant levels of fruitRead more
In 2004, an estimated 17.1 million people died from cardiovascular disease (CVD), mainly from heart disease and stroke.This number is expected to increase to 23.6 million people in 2030. However, the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a decreased risk of CVD, most likely due to the abundance and variety ofRead more
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