Project Local: Monavale Organic Blueberries

It’s back! Our Monavale Blueberry Cronut has returned, and it’s as dreamy as ever, made with organic blueberries from the incredible Monavale Blueberry Farm. If you’ve been with us a while, you might remember our visit a few years ago with Marije daughter of Paul and Mieke who founded the farm in '85. This time, we caught up with her nephew Oliver, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at this remarkable farm and its story of passion, perseverance, and a whole lot of blueberries.

A Legacy of Blueberries and Innovation

The Monavale story began in 1980 when Paul and Mieke immigrated from Holland with the dream of owning land. After purchasing a scrub-covered property near Cambridge in 1985, they discovered blueberries thrived there, and over time, they grew into the pioneers of commercial blueberry farming in New Zealand.

Today, Monavale boasts 46 different varieties of blueberries, each with its own unique qualities. For our cronuts, we’ve chosen the Maru variety, prized for its intense flavor and stunning color. And while the farm has grown significantly over the years, it remains a family-run operation, with three generations now working together to produce some of the country’s best organic blueberries.

Behind the Berries

What makes Monavale’s blueberries so special? It’s all in the soil. By focusing on organic methods and fostering a healthy ecosystem of bacteria and fungi, they grow berries packed with flavor and nutrients—no synthetic fertilizers needed. Oliver explained, “If you grow a perfect, healthy plant, you won’t struggle with bugs because you have balance.”

Monavale is also constantly innovating. In addition to blueberries, they now grow organic raspberries and blackberries, make award-winning fruit wines, and find creative uses for by-products like blueberry powder and skins. They’ve even partnered with other local businesses to create exciting products, like our Blueberry Cronut.

A Family Affair

Farming isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Monavale knows this better than most. Over the years, they’ve weathered a tornado that ripped through the farm, devastating their crops, and a frost that wiped out nearly an entire season. But through it all, their passion and resilience have kept them going.

As Oliver said during our visit, “We’re only here because we’re a family business and we’ve made it work.” You can see that pride in everything they do—from the relationships they’ve built with their pickers and customers to the joy Oliver and his grandfather shared as we ran into Paul during his rounds.

The Return of the Monavale Blueberry Cronut

We’re honored to work with such a passionate team, and we can’t wait for you to taste the result. Our Monavale Blueberry Cronut, made with their rich, vibrant berries, is now available in all Volare stores. But hurry—this seasonal treat won’t be around forever.