Local berries disappear

Pavlova cooks will be disappointed if they were counting on decorating their desserts with local strawberries this year.

Due to the wet weather, the Matakana Berry Company closed its gate sales at the end of last month, although they will still be selling real fruit ice cream from their van on Omaha Flats Road for the rest of season.

Meanwhile, the other popular strawberry patch, Charlies Gelato on Sharp Road, did not plant strawberries this year.

Owner Andrew Cole says it was a combination of factors that led to that decision, which included staff shortages at planting time, escalating nutrient costs and the weather.

He was unsure if Charlies would be planting a crop this year.