Right now we’re actively recruiting for Processing Workers Barker Fruit Processors has been making world class jams, chutneys, syrups and condiments for almost 50 years. We supply fantastic local and international brands in a values-based business culture. Barker’s are looking for enthusiastic, physically fit and hard-working individuals to take up fast-paced and demanding roles inRead more
Juicy research pinpoints New Zealand blackcurrant role in diabetes prevention With diabetes being Kiwi’s fastest growing health issue, registered nutritionist Sheena Hendon reports on the finding of juicy new research pinpointing New Zealand blackcurrant’s potential role in the treatment of this serious, yet preventable disease.Do you know of someone close to you – a familyRead more
With 186 entries from 100 food producers, entrants in the 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards had fierce competition. We are delighted to have two Barker’s products awarded Silver Medals!Barker’s Silver Award WinnersBarker’s Brewed Ginger Beer Judge’s Notes: A quality ginger beer, very refreshing with well-‐balanced flavours. Floral, spicy ginger aromas. Delicious, judges rated this productRead more
New Zealand blackcurrants get the gold medal for sports performance Whether you are an Olympic competitor, take part in community fun runs or play the odd casual tennis match for your local club, the quality of your diet or fuel is essential to enable you to do your best. That is why the latest researchRead more
Barker’s new premium Dry Cola soda syrup contains NZ dark malt Using local NZ malt and NZ citrus in our new cola is something we are very proud of. The NZ malt delivers a rich, deep satisfying flavour while the NZ citrus gives our premium Dry Cola an uplifting and delicious bite offsetting the usual sweetnessRead more
Sparkling water lovers will be fizzing with delight with the launch of our new range of classic soda syrups.The delicious range of premium soda syrups are the perfect pairing for store-bought or homemade sparkling or soda water to create a light and refreshing drink for the whole family to enjoy.These better-for-you mixers have at leastRead more
Barker’s has been on the corner of the original family farm since its beginnings and we continue to respect, foster and grow our business with the land around us.The old home, now office space, still has the distinct vibe of a family home. The ‘sun porch’ is now a meeting room and aptly named inRead more
The last half of 2017 continued with an array of charities, community groups, clubs and schools spending numerous hours of planning to roll out their worthy fundraising events.Every year Barker’s are delighted to be able to assist groups by way of product sponsorship adding flavour and flair to gift baskets, raffle items, drinks stalls andRead more
One of Anthony Barker’s better known inventions was the Kent-Barker Log Fire which transformed the world of indoor heating.Anthony’s heater (an early homemade prototype made from an oil drum) was the world’s first fully enclosed high efficiency wood burner. His patented heater was sold internationally by Kent Heating, a subsidiary of Shell Oil.Inspiration came fromRead more
Oodles of Vegan-Friendly OptionsAlthough we’re not vegan certified, Barker’s of Geraldine are pleased to confirm that a large number of our retail products available in your local supermarket are vegan-friendly. The following products sold in New Zealand contain no animal products.Many of our vegetarian recipes found online can be adapted to meet vegan requirements. ForRead more
Anthony Barker’s Winemaking AdventuresAnthony Barker subscribed to the UK publication ‘The Amateur Winemaker’ where elderberries were proclaimed to produce one of the best non-grape red wines. The rich-coloured elderberry was used as long ago as medieval times when ‘black mead’, a potent concoction made from elderberries and honey, was enjoyed by kings and commoners alike.Read more
For most of us, the memory of the food that our mothers served us as children never leaves us, a comforting reminder of the maternal bond that resonates through our adult lives.It is these memories that are the inspiration for My Mother’s Kitchen, a very special New Zealand cook book. Here, a stellar line-up ofRead more
We are delighted, to say the least, to have won at the 2017 NZ Food Awards. Three consecutive years, three award winning recognitions – thank you for all your support New Zealand!Barker’s of Geraldine took out the top spot in the 2017 Non-Alcoholic Beverages Award category, in association with sponsor Villa Maria, with Squeezed LemonsRead more
As the weather warms, cool down with these refreshing, sparkling, ready to drink Fruit Spritzers.Our new, ready to drink fruit spritzers with reduced sugar come in four delicious flavours using real ingredients that are brewed or squeezed to perfection on the farm.Ideal as a non-alcoholic, ready to drink beverage, or as a mixer in yourRead more
If you, or someone close to you suffers from a food allergy, you’ll know how important it is to check food labels.This isn’t as easy as you might expect, especially in the case of chilli. Avoiding chilli in processed foods can be difficult given that many products simply list ‘spices’ on the ingredients list.At Barker’sRead more
We’ve made the finals!The top performers in New Zealand’s food industry have been announced, and Barker’s of Geraldine are delighted to have 3 products revealed among the 2017 NZ Food Award finalists. Celebrity Judge Geoff Scott: “One thing that I love about the New Zealand Food Awards is just the immense variety across all theRead more
We are delighted to launch our new range of fruit compotesWhat is a compote?A compote is simply preserved or cooked fruit. Your mum probably called it stewed fruit, so compote is just a new name for an old favourite. Compote is French for ‘mixture’ and back in medieval Europe it was a dessert of wholeRead more
With diabetes being Kiwi’s fastest growing health issue, nutritionist Sheena Hendon reports on the finding of juicy new research pinpointing New Zealand blackcurrant’s potential role in the treatment of this serious, yet preventable disease.Do you know of someone close to you – a family member or friend who has diabetes or prediabetes? The odds areRead more
For almost 20 years I was his student and colleague as we worked very hard together to nurture and grow the Barker’s business. The part he played as an advisor and marketer and Director were absolutely pivotal to our survival and later success. Michael had unwavering beliefs and he certainly wasn’t a spectator in life,Read more
Let’s drink to a well winter!Did you know…Blackcurrants are packed with a range of healthy compounds, including massive doses of the antioxidant, vitamin C.Blackcurrants have around four times more vitamin C than oranges and 16 times more than blueberries.When consumed as part of a healthy diet, vitamin C contributes to the normal immune system function,Read more
Auckland Star, 15 September 1925The engagement is announced of Miss Constance Mary MacArthur, elder daughter of Captain and Mrs McArthur, Forest Road, Geraldine and formerly of England, to Mr Michael Studholme Barker, eldest son of Mr and Mrs J M Barker, Waihi, Woodbury.When Constance married Michael Barker (senior) in 1926, it’s unlikely she imagined theRead more
Sponsorship activities were in full swing during autumn and into the start of winterWe were delighted to support a massive number of charities, community groups, clubs, and schools with product sponsorship, between April – June 2017. We get such a kick out of sponsoring events that bring our communities together and make them more vibrantRead more
Jess & Sandi are the clever illustrators who created the beautiful fruit images for our new jam and chutney labels We thought you’d enjoy reading more about them and where they get their inspiration.Where did you grow up in New Zealand? JESS: I was born in South Africa and moved to Hawke’s Bay when IRead more
It’s not often that a budding video maker, 16 years old and still at school, is asked to work with a music legend.But that’s what happened to Geraldine local, Max Paterson. Max was contacted by ‘Totally Locally Geraldine’ and offered the role of camera man for Jordan’s Luck music video ‘Geraldine’.The music video was aRead more
Have you ever looked at a list of ingredients and wondered?In food, ‘artificial’ generally means ingredients made to copy ingredients created naturally, rather than using the real thing. Barker’s have a firm belief not to add artificial colours and flavours to our delicious products. Occasionally, when necessary, Barker’s do add NATURAL colours and flavours toRead more
At Barker’s we have a philosophy to use squeezed juices when we can because it delivers the best taste!What are Squeezed Juices?They are juices released from fruit which has been pressed. We have the same type of press that many wineries use. It works at low pressures to gently massage the juice out of fruit.Read more
Annabelle White shares her tips and tricks:Cooks get very excited with the end of summer harvest. In comes the new season apples and pumpkins and yet you still have fresh corn and a medley of Italian summer vegetables like aubergine, courgettes and capsicums.You have such a good supply of so many delights, it just encouragesRead more
Meet Pieter – Redcliffs OrchardPieter Traas is a Yen Ben specialist, the varietal of lemons grown by T&G on 54 hectares in Kerikeri , Northland (three hours north of Auckland). Sort after for their thin skins and high juice content, Yen Ben lemons are a popular choice for drink manufacturers and the perfect hero forRead more
Meet James – Tavendale FarmsRedcurrants may not be commonplace throughout New Zealand yet grower James Tavendale harvests 25 tonne of these delicious berries each year from his 3 hectare planting in Ashburton, Mid Canterbury.Tavendale Farms have been growing redcurrants and blackcurrants for Barker’s for some 35 years and James has been a major part ofRead more
Summer is always a busy time for sponsorship activities, and Summer 2017 was no exception.We believe that it’s vital to give local charities a helping hand and we do this as often as we can. After all, everyone in the local community benefits and that’s the real reward for us.Here’s a list of all theRead more
Annabelle White shares her tips and tricks:The perfect dinner has a luscious finale – a sweet treat providing great energy and yet tantalisingly joyous to savour.Little wonder people feel cheated and ‘upset’ if the meal ends without a pudding. A famous quote suggests “order dessert first, as life is uncertain”!Many diners will admit they ploughRead more
Annabelle White shares her tips and tricks:We know it’s right on so many levels. Packing your lunch means you eat well and saves money, but sometimes it’s hard when racing to pack kid’s lunches, take the dog for a walk and face rush hour traffic. It can all be too much and yet you knowRead more
Every brand that has an authentic story should tell it.We were really excited when we found the right people to help us do that. The team at Ruff & Tumble have created this most fabulous video which tells Michael’s story – our story. Here’s a bit of what happened behind the scenes.While the forecast tauntedRead more
As seen in Your Home & Garden magazine (Feb issue), be in the draw to win something a little fancy with Barker’sNOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Rima Krause, Pauline Mayo, John & Muriel Pedersen, Wendy Anderson, Shelley Gilmour Lazy days, late lunches and long drinks are what summer is all about. We have 5 x refreshingRead more
Ginger Beer is becoming a popular thirst quenching beverage and there are many new options hitting the marketThe average 200ml glass of ginger beer contains a whopping 38.5g of sugar, the equivalent of just over eight teaspoons, according to research.Ginger is one of Barker’s favourite flavours which is why we’ve launched our new Lite BrewedRead more
Looking back through our busy schedule, it wasn’t surprising our sponsorship tally topped 210+Here’s who we’ve been able help share the fundraising journey with throughout Oct-Dec:Age Concern – Central Hawkes BayAoraki Rugby LeagueArts and Plants FestivalBone Marrow TrustBridge to BridgeCanterbury Medical Research FoundationCashmere Primary Twilight FairClearview PrimaryElmgrove SchoolFairhaven School GalaFeilding PlaycentreFour Peak FitnessFSSI Charity GolfRead more
Barker’s of Geraldine has won 2 out of the 13 product categories of the prestigious annual Healthy Food Guide magazine Awards 2016!We’ve been placed top for both best new product and best low sugar/no sugar category with NZ Unsweetened Blackadder Blackcurrant Juice, as well as commended for our newly launched Lite Brewed Ginger Beer.The 13Read more
Research indicates New Zealand Blackcurrants give athletes the performance edge – naturallyWith athletes doing whatever it takes to be the fittest, fastest and strongest and beat the next record, groundbreaking research indicating that New Zealand blackcurrants could be the next big sports performance enhancer can only be exciting news for exercise professionals worldwide.For years, sportspeopleRead more
The humble ice cube has come of age.One ice ‘cube’ making a resurgence is the Ice Sphere (aka Ice Ball) adding flair to summer entertaining.Some people like a splash of water in their whisky, while others like an ice cube or two to chill it (which inevitably melts and dilutes the whisky over time, muchRead more
Dulce de Leche, a traditional South American dessert enjoyed world-wide, is now in New Zealand!Literally translated as ‘sweet from milk’ in English Dulce de Leche is known as milk jam or caramel spread. Gluten free, this traditional and authentic South American topping has now landed on New Zealand shores. History of Dulce de Leche TheRead more
Long days, long lunches and long drinks are just around the corner as summer starts to beckon.To celebrate in style, we’ve created a range of premium handcrafted cordials made from squeezed fruits with botanicals. Each flavour is housed in a bespoke new 500ml bottle – the perfect companion to drinks trolleys, beautiful glassware and summerRead more
Jordan Luck was back in his old home town of Geraldine on Tuesday night to reunite and practice with his schoolmates in their old school band “Basement”.They entertained an enthusiastic crowd in the Heritage Crown Hotel with a mix of songs from the early Basement days, a few well known hits from Jordan’s days withRead more
We’re delighted to have just launched our delicious new New Yorker Mustard Relish.Following the popular, gourmet hot dog trend, we reckon it’s a lively addition to any shopping trolley. Off to a great start, New Yorker Mustard Relish is already a winner after taking out the dry awards category at New Zealand Food Awards 2016!TheRead more
It’s been a busy winter of fundraising with Barker’s spreading the love to more than 60 clubs, groups and charitiesHere’s who we’ve proud to support through product sponsorship during July-Sep 2016:90th South Island National Daffodil ShowAdventure SchoolAlpine EnergyAoraki Migrant Centre and Timaru Newcomers NetworkBAL NZBuckland School Ag DayCanterbury Landrover Owners 50th BirthdayChess National FundraisingChurchill ParkRead more
We are delighted to have been announced the Supreme Winner (Small Manufacturer) at the New Zealand Beverage Awards 2016 at Wairakei Resort this week, for our Unsweetened Blackadder Blackcurrant Juice. This followed our win ‘Best Juice (Small Manufacturer)’ for the Unsweetened Blackadder Blackcurrant Juice too which recognises current consumer interest in no refined sugar productsRead more
Two new crowd-pleasing sauces have been added our range, ready for the summer season. Brewer’s Barbecue Beer Sauce is a rich, bold sauce containing 12% ale giving it a delicious flavour with mild heat – a great addition to any meal. It has a tomato base sweetened by a brown sugar, molasses and raisin combo whichRead more
Meet Harriet Millar, Christchurch artist. After studying art school in England, picking up a post grad in psychology along the way, and becoming a mum of five (in no particular order), she’s thrown herself back into painting.We are glad she did. That’s how we met Harriet!Harriet exhibited at the St Margaret’s School exhibition. A fundraiser forRead more
Blackcurrants can leave a very vibrant, ingrained stain whether from fresh berries or its juice. If not tackled when fresh, these stains can be a nightmare to remove.In one form or another, we’ve tackled blackcurrants stains for decades and have some helpful advice. While our method may not be 100% fool-proof in every instance, itRead more
The weather may have been gloomy but fundraising efforts around New Zealand continued to be conducted with much vigor!We were delight to support, by way of product sponsorship, a number of charities, community groups, clubs and schools to help contribute towards their good work.Here are those we were able to assist in Apr-June 2016:10 –Read more
New Zealand blackcurrant research to support mental performance and brain healthIntroductionWith the growth in an ageing population comes a rising number of brain health conditions. And with over 50,000 Kiwis recorded as living with dementia – two thirds of those with Alzheimer’s, and approximately 1 in 500 New Zealanders with Parkinson’s – more research isRead more
Queen’s Birthday weekend saw us enjoying a stunningly beautiful weekend in the Mackenzie country.We had been invited by Simon & Priscilla Cameron, from Ben Ohau station, to support the inaugural “Hops & Hooves” which was an inaugural craft beer & food show at the Twizel Events Centre on the Saturday night. It was a realRead more
We’ve had great fun experimenting with a range of delicious winter tonics to enjoy this season.Each of our recipes include a blackcurrant fruit syrup (Squeezed NZ Blackcurrant or Lite Blackcurrant work wonderfully) or Lemon, Honey with Ginger along with a host of fresh herbs, spices and a few special ingredients too! We dabble with soothingRead more
Nutritionist Sheena Hendon talks blackcurrants:When it comes to fighting off an attack of the winter baddies such as colds and flus, you can call upon blackcurrants – a Superhero of Superfoods, to come to the rescue. These juicy little fruits really do wear the cape, mask and tights – not only are they packed withRead more
So many groups and so many fundraising activities!It is always delightful to receive photos from the charity and community groups we support through product sponsorship. From cycling to endurance runs, raffles to school camps, pipe bands to pink hikes!January-March 2016A Breast of Life FundraisingAffair of the HeartAll about ButterfliesAltrusa ClubBowel and Liver TrustCraighead Diocesan SchoolCSSIRead more
We have many inquiries from customers wanting to know the secret to removing labels from glass jars and bottlesHere’s what we recommend There are many different paper stocks used for labels (including matt, glossy and textured paper) and you’ll soon discover that some will be harder to remove than others. What is common however isRead more
We welcome two new additions to the Barker’s chutney range!Habanero Tomato RelishFirst off the block: a taste of Mexico and our hottest offering so far, Habanero Tomato Relish is a new addition to our Barker’s chutney range. Slathered on just about anything this is a perfect condiment for heat-lovers. Not only delicious slathered over sandwichesRead more
February 14th marks a special day across the world: candle lit dinners and chocolates are savoured; flowers and gifts are exchanged; romance is in the air – all in the name of St. Valentine. Who was he, or rather, who were they? Over centuries, it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction however several saints namedRead more
The lead up to Christmas was a busy time for Barker’s and fundraising groups around the countryAs we do every quarter, we were delighted to be able to help support a large range of charities and fundraising groups through product sponsorship: from raising money for playground & sports equipment, medical research and supporting the communityRead more
If serving ham on the bone, the odds are you’ll have plenty of ham left over. We look at creative ways to enjoy it for days to come! Ham and Poached Eggs Top slices of grilled or pan-fried ham with an egg and serve on an English muffin or toast, with Barker’s Blackcurrant & RedRead more
It’s that time of the year! If you are hosting or in charge of glazing the ham, here are a few handy tips on how to prepare, cook and glaze your ham.Preparing the HamRinse the ham under cool running water to remove any sticky residue. Pat dry with a paper towel and place on aRead more
Edible flowers have delighted the senses for thousands of years. Not only do edible flowers smell and look great, numerous varieties can be easily grown spray-free in your backyard. We investigate how to grow, how to prepare and how to use.Our creative ancestors were curious, forging the use of flowers for medicinal benefits as wellRead more
Ahhh the joys of a Spring road trip; Golden Bay awaits! We enjoyed a weekend in Golden Bay last weekend and a highlight for me was a visit to the Langford Store at Bainham, which is a 15 minute drive inland from Collingwood. This lonely store in the middle of nowhere brings back memories ofRead more
Another quarter gone and another busy few months for all those charity and fundraising groups looking for sponsorship support. Where possible we’ll lend a helping ‘sponsorship’ hand to charity and fundraising groups. Items may be used as raffle items, spinning wheel prizes, lucky dips, catering and even thank you presents to volunteers that work hardRead more
Barker’s sauces are a perfect partner for a range of delicious, inspirational wrap combinations. The full range of sauces will give anyone the chance to create easy, impressive and tasty meals for all to enjoy. Use them on the side with meats, as a marinade, a dipping sauce, cook-in simmer sauce or in delicious lunchRead more
We are delighted to have won a number of awards over recent years and 2015 is no exception.To help celebrate our award winning team we’ve put together a list so we can share the joy with our loyal supporters (that’s you)!2015 NZ Food Awards Dry Category Award Winner – NZ Seedless Bramble Berries fruit preserveFinalistRead more
It may seem I’ve been quiet during the past few months but behind the scenes I’ve been busily working on some delicious recipes for Barker’s with the launch of their new sauce range. *Dianne McDonald, Barker’s crowned 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie, shares her latest news: I can honestly say I’m loving the new range of savouryRead more
Embracing our beautiful country Annual tramps with a group of mates is a great excuse to leave the cell phones behind and forget about the day-to-day issues at work. On the long walks I reflect on where we have come from and our plans for the future but mostly I rejoice in our majestic mountainsRead more
We were delighted to win the Dry Award at the 2015 NZ Food Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Auckland last night Michael, our Executive Director and son of founder Anthony Barker gratefully accepted the award (sponsored by Countdown) for Barker’s NZ Seedless Bramble Berries Preserve. photo L-R: Danielle Esplin (Sales & Marketing Manager),Read more
Secret revealed : Which fruit may give a longer life?Not only are New Zealand blackcurrants packed with flavour, it seems that, regardless of how you consume them, they are also bursting with goodness. Research indicates that they may have many amazing nutritional and therapeutic benefits and that’s why Barker’s only use New Zealand blackcurrants inRead more
Gerald from New Zealand shares his personal journey on blackcurrants and managing Parkinson’s disease. In his words: When I read reports of new research into the potentially positive effects of Blackadder juice [Blackadder varietal of blackcurrants grown in New Zealand] on cognitive functions affected by Parkinson’s disease, I was intrigued. I have Parkinson’s and overRead more
Great news, hot off the press! The top performers in New Zealand’s food industry have been announced, and Barker’s of Geraldine are delighted to have 3 products revealed among the 2015 NZ Food Award finalists. Judges at this year’s NZ Food Awards have been impressed with the level of innovation in entries across the sectorRead more
We appreciate the hard work that goes into fundraising efforts …endless hours of telephone calls, co-ordinating volunteers and seeking sponsorship partners in order to make the event a success! ‘Quarter 2’ 2015 has been another busy time for us at Barker’s. Here are the groups we’ve been delighted to support in their fundraising efforts: Anderson’sRead more
We’ve had my papa and sister visit from the Philippines so there’s been plenty of cooking over an open fire. *Dianne McDonald, Barker’s crowned 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie, shares her latest news: Cooking over an open fire is a traditional Filipino way of life. My dad has been the source of my foodie inspiration since IRead more
Berry good news! Research has shown that New Zealand blackcurrants are good for keeping us mentally young and agile; a finding that could have potential in managing the mental decline associated with aging populations, or helping people with brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or depression.The research, conducted by scientists at Plant & Food ResearchRead more
Blackcurrants have been valued as one of nature’s super fruits and nutritious foods for centuries.For generations, mothers have regarded blackcurrants as a trusted natural source of nourishment for their families and traditional healers used them for a broad range of ailments and winter malady’s. But it’s only in recent decades that scientists have caught upRead more
Here’s a selection of photos gathered by the Barker’s team to celebrate the heaviest snow fall since 2008! It sure does get cold here in Geraldine. Yes it snows, most definitely. But this year, we’ve had a real winter wonderland display.First it started gently yesterday. Then it bucketed down! But any-which-way you look at it,Read more
“A picture paints a thousand words” they say, so I will keep this brief. It started snowing late yesterday afternoon. More snow fell during the night…the first big snow since 2008! This morning at 6am I had to fly to Auckland. After putting chains on and clearing the driveway of fallen trees I just gotRead more
Growing Blackcurrants in New Zealand Don and Di McFarlane have been blackcurrant growers for decades. While semi-retired Don is still very much involved with blackcurrant research and development in New Zealand. We asked Don to share with us insights into the Blackcurrant industry in New Zealand. World Acclaimed There are 37 growers in New Zealand,Read more
The McFarlane’s have been growing blackcurrants for decadesMeet Hamish. He’s our local blackcurrant grower you will have clocked in our video. The McFarlane’s have been growing blackcurrants for generations and supplying Barker’s for decades. Their farm comprises more than 100 hectares of delicious blackcurrants destined for our delicious Squeezed NZ Blackcurrants fruit cordial. Hamish’s parents,Read more
“My world as the Barker’s 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie just keeps getting better.” — Dianne McDonald Part of my win was a trip to Geraldine. It was amazing despite the rain! It was a busy day indeed but it wouldn’t be special without meeting the people behind the beautiful Barker’s products. It was such an honourRead more
We know how important it is to be clear whether gluten is, or is not, present in foods. What is gluten? It’s a combination of two proteins – glutenin and gliadin – found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. With a 0g gluten status clearly stated on the nutritional label, we happily call this aRead more
It’s been a busy start to 2015 for fundraising groups around New Zealand. Barker’s of Geraldine are delighted to have been able to support many community groups, schools and charities to help with fundraising for, by providing product for spot prizes, hampers, raffles, catering and more. Here’s just a few so far this year: JanuaryRead more
Barker Fruit Processors joins forces with French family – exciting future unveiled PRESS RELEASE – 17/4/15 Barker Fruit Processors has reached agreement to sell a majority stake to family-owned French company Andros, with Michael Barker retaining a significant shareholding in the business. The transaction is subject to OIO approval. Andros is the world’s leader inRead more
The week has started with a whirl for our newly crowned Barker’s 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie, Dianne McDonald. After flying to Auckland from her hometown Dunedin, to be at special announcement, she’s met some wonderful people including judges Annabelle White (food writer) and Tamara West (food photographer), the Barker’s team and Michael Barker himself. Exciting timesRead more
Despite growing up cooking over an open flame, Dianne McDonald’s culinary skills today earned her the title of Barker’s 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie! In February, Barker’s set out to find an upcoming Recipe Developer/Foodie who, with their passion for food, would create some wonderful Barker’s inspired recipes to help us promote our products. The month-long searchRead more
We are delighted to announce our Recipe Developer Finalists Our search has narrowed down to four! We have selected four finalists from around the country who are competing to be the new Barker’s 2015 Recipe Developer/Foodie. Keen foodies Bex Savage from Rolleston, Jess Goodwin from Christchurch, Dianne McDonald from Dunedin and Farzana Rashid from AucklandRead more
Anthony Barker springs the bung out of a cask of elderberry wine using a hand-fashioned mallet – early 1970s There’s a popular thread on social media under the tag #ThrowBackThursday… …and we’ve been looking back in delight at some old Barker’s of Geraldine gems.We came across this, c1980s. It’s a little jingle called Battle ofRead more
We’ve been very excited to see so many delicious recipes being submitted. Our search for a Recipe Developer/Food Blogger has set off with a hiss and a roar! Remember, our search closes on Friday 6 March, so if you have yet to submit your Barker’s inspired recipe creation, hurry! The usage ideas have left usRead more
You may be aware of the recent cases of Hepatitis A linked to frozen berry productsYou may be aware of recent news articles in New Zealand indicating that imported berries could be a source of the virus Hepatitis A. A similar incident occurred in February this year in Australia and highlights the ongoing need forRead more
Come rain or shine, Blackcurrants are to be celebrated! We survived a very rainy Sarau Blackcurrant Festival in Upper Moutere earlier this month but were in fine company with blackcurrant-lovers from far and wide who came to celebrate the end of the season. Blackcurrants, hailed as a superfruit for all its rich health qualities, areRead more
Noel has been a big part of Barker’s for some 10 years. His role? “Everything but the lawn” he chuckles. In a nutshell that includes garden maintenance of up to 500 plants and trees around the farm, clearing and levelling, and being the ‘go to’ general handyman. He’s a real character here on the farmRead more
The debate around sugar has heated up and we are reminded by many customers and media about how sugar is the new killer in society. At Barker’s we recognise that sugar has, and continues to play, a controversial role in our diet, however we also recognise that many New Zealander’s choose to continue enjoying sugar…Read more
Sausages and certificates were on offer as Barker’s of Geraldine celebrated the upskilling of more than 130 staff. TIMARU HERALD The company worked with skills-building company Competenz to train staff in national certificates of Occupational Health and Safety. A graduation ceremony was held on the factory grounds yesterday with 134 staff receiving certificates. Training startedRead more
We are delighted have been able to support local charities and fundraising events for great causes throughout the 2014 year. Here are the groups we’ve been delighted sponsored in some way or form in recent months: October-December 2014 Ahipara School Christ The King School Dalmation Club Show Duntroon School Fashion in The Field – GeraldineRead more
The Upton Farm cowshed and piggery were converted into the winery where the first wines were made entirely from old-fashioned elderberries. Elderberry trees flourished around the riverbeds of Canterbury and North Otago, some growing to great heights. It is said these were brought in by early settlers as hedge plants and, maybe, with the thoughtRead more
Diversification was in the minds of some farmers as long ago as the 1960’s. In the space of 30 years Upton Farm at Pleasant Valley in South Canterbury, became Upton Cellars, Barker’s Wines and finally the prodigious Barker Fruit Processors Ltd with a reputation for producing nothing but the best. Anthony Barker, founder of theRead more
We share a series of snippets from Barker Family 1969-1999 and beyond; stories and anecdotes collated over the years. It is a story of how a dream can come true and how unassuming hard work and a belief in other people can be rewarded by the collective harnessing of a village of industry. Barker’s isRead more
Every year I look forward to a fishing weekend with three mates. The destination varies, but always somewhere remote, alpine and beautiful, ideally with lots of fish! This year we bunked down in a hut at “Paradise” beyond Glenorchy at the head of Lake Whakatipu. No electricity, just a smoky old Shacklock stove and anRead more
Relishes and chutneys go deliciously with almost everything, and we’re particularly wrapped with the wrap combo too! Our friends at Farrah’s sent us their amazing array of wraps and we took it to task to think of easy ways to enjoy both wrap and relish together. Here are our tasty creations: Super-easy dip and crispsRead more
Ginger Negus – flash back to the 1970s!After Dad had perfected his elderberry table wine he decided to make a port. This meant we had to have a licensed customs bond store where we stored the drums of spirit, 96% alcohol, under lock and key, and the Timaru customs officer had to come out toRead more
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