Orchardist shares fresh produce with community

Not only do his mother and father’s families have a long history in the industry, but his brother has also worked on orchards.

It’s in this environment that he has developed a strong passion for gardening and the outdoors.

“It’s just amazing that you can see a tree in the middle of winter with no leaves on it and dormant and then in spring everything is waking up and all the buds are coming alive,” he said.

He’s since taken up a position selling products to orchardists, but such is his passion for growing he began growing fruit trees on his property in Raftery Rd.

With 200 trees on his property, he produces no shortage of fruit.

Once he’d shared his excess fruit with his friends and family, he wanted an opportunity to share local produce with the community.

That’s what prompted him to establish a fruit stall on his property.

The stall includes some of his own products.

Also included is excess fruit that other growers give him or let him pick.

However, it’s not just fruit that he stocks.

Depending on the season, he stocks beans, chillis, tomatoes, walnuts and olive oil and eggs.

The stall operates on an honesty system, where people drop 20 or 30 cents.

“Nearly all my experiences have been positive,” he said.

For Mr Irwin, it’s not about the money but wanting to do the right thing by the environment.

“We only have one planet,” he said.

“If we all do our bit we can make a difference”.

He appreciates the opportunity to be self-sufficient, stocking locally sourced products.

For example, the olive oil that he sells is grown and pressed in Shepparton East.

With a strong focus on seasonal products, he also wants to encourage the community to eat more fresh fruit.

He asks all his customers to return the packaging.

Mr Irwin has around 30–40 customers each week, more when plums and peaches are in season.

Some of his regulars include mothers picking up fruit for their children to take to school and locals looking for a single piece of fruit.

He takes pride in being able to make a small difference in the community.

“I feel good every time something sells,” he said.