Helping others helps orchard

When someone dropped into Shields Orchard to purchase some apples to be donated to people affected by the floods, farmer Bill Shields was happy to do business.

“The person who organised the donation was paying, we just charged a nominal fee,” Mr Shield said.

“He came up and asked and it was good for us, too.

“We weren’t open due to the floods.”

The apples had been picked, boxed and in the fridge. Rather than leave the apples to rot, they sold them at a reduced rate.

“We lost two weekends,” Mr Shields said.

“We opened the Sunday after the bridge was opened.

Shields Orchard is a pick-your-own business, where customers enjoy a ‘paddock to plate’-type experience, choosing their produce straight from the tree. The orchard is open every day except Tuesday through the school holidays and you need to book ahead.

• Topics:

• Community
• People