For Father’s Day, we’re spending time with the people behind the things we value.
We sat down with Ian from Eat Your Greens to talk about growing food, getting your hands in the dirt and the little lessons that come with becoming a dad.
Founded by Ian and Kat in 2018, Eat Your Greens is a BioGro certified organic farm in Matakana, built around the simple idea that fresh produce should taste as good as it possibly can.
Can you tell us a little about Eat Your Greens and what inspired you to start it?
Eat Your Greens is a BioGro certified organic farm based in Matakana dedicated to same-day harvest and delivery of salad greens, herbs, microgreens, and heirloom vegetables to Auckland's finest restaurants and grocery stores across the North Island. My wife, Kat, and I founded Eat Your Greens in 2018 shortly after returning from Sydney.
Our ethos, 'Grown for Flavour' stems from the desire I had for fresher, flavour-driven produce whilst working as a chef in Sydney and Byron Bay. With produce delivered direct to restaurants, we solve the supply chain issue of wilted greens and flavour-less produce being delivered to a chef's door. With the influence and greater addition of my wife Kat to the business over the past few years we have been able to scale that philosophy into the retail sector, providing same-day freshness and restaurant quality produce to the home kitchen.
What do you love about sharing your passion for growing food with Poppy?
Being able to show Poppy the process of seed to harvest, right on our doorstep. We pick herbs and greens every night straight from our gardens to use for our meals. Also getting our hands in the dirt! It's the first week of Spring and we're really excited about this season with our biggest planting of heirloom tomatoes which are a huge favourite of Poppy's to pull off the vines.
What does Poppy enjoy most about being out in the garden with you?
Poppy's favourite activities in the garden are picking flowers, especially the Dahlias in Summertime, and making little bouquets to give to Mum.
Are there any little moments you share together that have become particularly special to you?
Wheelbarrow rides when moving compost around the farm with Poppy. Her giggling and thrill-seeking demands for 'faster, faster Dadda' speed are hilarious.
What have you learnt from Poppy since becoming a dad?
Patience and spending time admiring the little things and processes in life again. Allowing her the time to work things out and investigate all the little things and watching her interest spark into new activities and understanding. Which in turn rubs off on the day to day.
What do you hope to pass on to Poppy as she grows up?
The love for the environment, healthy, clean food and the outdoors...... and of course Loud Music, although she is well on her way to that already. 'Rock and Roll Freddo' as we carve around the garden on the ride-on.
From the garden to the ride-on, these are the everyday moments that make family life what it is.
Explore our considered edit of pieces for Dad, made to be worn often and lived in well.