The Australian pick-your-own strawberry farm, Luvaberry, located north of Brisbane in Wamuran, has ceased public operations and is now up for sale. Owners Mandy and Adrian Schultz initiated "Luvaberry Our War on Waste" in 2018, aiming to save strawberries deemed unsuitable by supermarkets due to their appearance. This initiative not only reduced waste by repurposing second-grade strawberries through freezing and freeze-drying but also engaged a large online community through sales directly from car park meetups.
The farm's approach expanded to include produce from other farmers, attracting hundreds to their "peckish picking" events. Despite their success in transforming their farm into a multifaceted agritourism destination, including diversification into finger limes, herbs, and a farm cafe, the Schultzes are seeking a lifestyle change after two decades of continuous innovation. "Turning it from a commodity into an immersive experience has certainly worked, but to keep going, it needs a lot more energy and requires us to dig even deeper," Mandy Schultz reflected. With their children having moved out and a desire for a simpler life, the couple is looking for fresh investors for their 16-hectare property, listed at over $2.8 million.
Source: abc.net.au