Summer Fresh Fruit Buying in Nelson

During the summer months the Nelson Tasman region is packed with things to do, most free, and with lots of choices for families – young and old.

One treat that many know about is the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available at roadside stalls and market gardens. Summer is peak production time, and the early part of the 2025 summer was perfect for the development of many crops.

I think boysenberries grown in the region are the best I have seen for many years, especially if you go out of your way to buy fully ripened, freshly picked berries from grower roadside stalls. I think the best we have found this year are from Tasman Bay Fruits on Paton Road, just a few hundred meters from their machinery sheds. The forecast rain will have had an impact on these delicate gems but it’s still worth the short trip out to see if they still have them available.

While strawberries were a little slow ripening before Christmas there’s an abundance of ripe, juicy berries ready right now. Check out 185 in Hope and Moutere Strawberries in Neudorf Road for the best around.

If you want stone fruit like nectarines and apricots head to Lowes Orchard in Brightwater (close to Waimea West Road). Their farm shop is replenished regularly during the day with perfectly ripe fruit for you to buy and enjoy.

Tomatoes are another summer joy for us; we love fresh tomatoes in salads. Slices of tomato, fresh basil and fresh Via Vio mozzarella make the perfect summer salad with any protein. One of our favorite varieties is the fleshy Isle of Capris tomato, and the very best are produced by Romano’s who have a van on the side of Cable Bay Road. This year’s slow ripening because of overcast days meant limited supplies before Christmas but they are plentiful right now.

Romanos also supplies a limited number of retail outlets (Prego & Conning’s) and Bettina has a stall at both the Farmers Market on Wednesday and Nelson Market on Saturday. But get there early, they are so tasty and so popular she often sells out early in the day. Bettina also grows some of the best zucchini, cucumbers and kamo kamo around.

One fruit that just screams summer is the juicy cherry. There are a number of cherry orchards in the region, from Mahana to Ruby Bay and Motueka, just look for the roadside stalls and fill your boots with this summer jewel while you can. In Riwaka Thomas Brothers have a shop not only selling the wonderful cherries they grow but also real fruit ice creams featuring their cherries. This is a summer treat not to be missed if you’re heading to one of the beaches in the area. Or maybe just take a drive and enjoy a summer ice cream treat.

One year-round staple we buy from roadside stalls is eggs. Drive down almost any country road and you are bound to see an eggs for sale sign somewhere. Supermarkets buy in bulk and have regular deliveries but there’s nothing better than buying free range eggs direct from the grower, especially those who go to the effort to write the date laid in the carton, much better than a use-by date.

I mentioned Via Vio mozzarella earlier in this column and I must say their fresh cheeses made with A2 cows’ milk are perfect. You will find them in most good food shops, including at the food lover’s treasure trove that is Cook’s Corner in Hardy St.

At The Junction in the Old Factory Corner complex you will find a Euro-style deli that is laden with beautiful, fresh Little River A2 cow’s milk cheeses, Thorvald Sheep cheeses, creamy goat’s cheese as well as a range of the best cheeses made by artisan producers in New Zealand.

If you’re in a bit of a rush to get to the beach but still want your fill of outstanding summer fruits and produce, then check out the farm shops at 185 in Hope where they grow most of what they sell. Harvested in the morning for you to buy fresh each day. We have found 185 has the very best value produce in the region.

Victoria Gardens in Queen Victoria St, Motueka do the same. They grow a big range of fresh produce, harvest daily and sell at some of the best prices going, just like 185 in Hope.

Conning’s at the Old factory Corner complex is a food store like no other. As well as selling fresh fruit and vegetables they grow, they also stock a range of kitchen staples. From delicious Royal Burn Farms lamb to fresh breads, you will find it at Conning’s.

Further afield, if you’re heading to Kaiteriteri or Golden Bay make sure you stop at Frasers Orchard at the foot of the Takaka Hill. They grow and sell a huge range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Their exceptional watermelons should be available from mid-January depending on ripening conditions.

However you choose to spend your summer in Nelson, be it a local staycationing or one of the many visitors here for a few days’ relaxation, make sure you get out and visit some of the local growers, buy direct from the grower and get the freshest, tastiest, food going.

Published in the Nelson Mail 06-01-2026