Partnerships blend the right mix

Blending and bagging organically certified compost and potting mix is an initiative in prisoner employment. This partnership between Corrections, NZ Peat and Frews Contracting is designed to meet the needs of the South Island horticultural market.
 
Southern Horticulture Manager Stu Whyte says the new operation has been established at Christchurch Men’s Prison and employs up to 10 minimum security prisoners. “We have a contract with NZ Peat to blend and bag compost and potting mixes for distribution to their customers.
 
“Prisoners working in the operation can obtain loader and forklift driving licences as well as New Zealand Qualifications Authority credits. They also learn all about plant processing and machine maintenance.”

The partnership has allowed NZ Peat to reach its goal of diversifying into the organic produce market as both the operation and product is organically certified by AsureQuality standards.

Stu says, “We were able to help through the Organic Certification Programme in which AsureQuality carries out annual audits of the Rolleston and Christchurch Men’s Prison’s organic gardens.”

Best solution
Managing Director of NZ Peat Bruce Smith says Corrections provided the best commercial solution to meet their needs. “The staff are really responsive. They listened to what we needed and gave us several options. This partnership allows us to be competitive in the organic market and has brought us a new certified organic product.”

The bagging and blending operation is also good news for Frews Contracting, the company that provides mushroom compost as part of the blending and bagging operation at Christchurch Prison.

“We transport 600 truck and trailer loads of compost a year,” says Bulk Process and Recycling Manager Tom Clark. “We are glad to have Corrections as a customer as we are able to supply compost to them all-year-round. In recent years, we have also been able to meet the supply needs of the organic gardens at Christchurch Men’s Prison and Rolleston Prison.”