Works at: Thorndon Park Produce

Location: Waterloo Corner, SA

Hi Anthony, thank you for your time today!

Firstly, can you please tell me about the business and the produce that you grow?

Thorndon Park Produce is a bunch-line vegetable grower and supplier to the South Australian produce markets, retailers, and interstate markets. We grow and supply vegetables including spinach, silverbeet, beetroot, spring onions, radish, parsley and more, all year-round. In the business, I take on the role as a grower as well as general manager of sales, distribution, and staff management.

What do you find most rewarding about your job and working in the vegetable industry?

This industry is so unique in a way that everyone knows what a vegetable is – we all eat it whether we are growers or not. However, most of the time when I have discussions with people, they can’t tell you about where it comes from and how it ended up in their fridge. The most rewarding part of my job is sharing with people how produce comes to their shopping basket, from using social media platforms, running programs and encouraging site visits. I find sharing the joys and fun of what I do with the general public the most rewarding.

Anthony De Ieso.

You’ve been actively involved in veg industry R&D over the years. In your opinion, what are the benefits of being engaged in these activities?

Obviously you get a lot of perks being involved in R&D – from taking part in trials, which may end in new and improved ways of farming for your business, to learning from the experts – but also getting your name out there. In a family business, you sometimes are in the shadow of those who came before you, so it’s up to you to branch out and increase your stock. Since participating in R&D activities and finding success, I have found my own reputation as a grower increase and have seen more and more opportunities to continue improving farm practices for the business.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed your business?

When the initial restrictions and panic buying began, we saw a massive increase in sales for common vegetables like spinach, but a drastic drop in herb lines, especially when restaurants were forced to close. As things have begun to settle and COVID-19 has become very real to the way we all live day to day, sales have continued to be fairly steady.

We’re definitely seeing a change in everyday buying patterns, especially in the more common everyday vegetables. We have had some substantial loss with some streamlining within the supermarket industry. From that, we have begun to play around growing products that are low in supply during certain seasons to increase cash flow. As this was an instant change, we looked initially to run trials while growing something quick that we would have a market for. This led us to successfully growing coriander for a couple large customers in the winter months only. With this success, we will continue to grow coriander during winter and see what else we can dedicate some land to for seasonal-only sale.

Where can we find out more about Thorndon Park Produce?

Thorndon Park Produce is on Facebook and has a website.

If you want to see what I am up to on the farm, search for Anthony De Ieso on YouTube. This is where I talk about R&D projects and other trials.

I am also on LinkedIn, and you can follow me on Twitter: @SA_ARai89.

Each week, the Weekly Update will be featuring a member of the vegetable industry. Whether you are a grower, a researcher or work in the supply chain, this is a chance to showcase the different roles and areas within horticulture. If you – or someone you know – would like to be involved, please email Michelle De’Lisle at michelle.delisle@ausveg.com.au.