Every year, WE harvest more than 2500 tonnes of asparagus, but not every spear will make it to the traditional produce aisle due to windy damage or small imperfections.
This year, we’ve partnered for the first time with Wonky Box to ensure any out-of-shape asparagus is still being enjoyed by foodies across New Zealand.
Wonky Box aims to reduce food waste by saving imperfect fruit and vegetables that would otherwise be bound for scrap. This also helps provide more affordable produce to New Zealanders.

Our asparagus is grown in Chertsey at the bottom of the Southern Alps. Our South Island General Manager, Mike Arnold says that the unique alpine conditions enhance the flavour and sweetness of each spear.
“We’re at the peak of our very short season and we are picking the spears as fast as we can. We’ve got excessive volumes of asparagus, and we’d hate to see spears going to waste.
“A few Kiwis might not have tried asparagus before, so we think these programmes are a real opportunity for everyone to give it a go. We’d rather see more families enjoying the sweet and juicy asparagus than throwing them out.”
Due to the alpine climate in Chertsey, the farm is prone to wind which can cause the spears to bend. This doesn’t affect their delicious taste or nutritional value.
“Wonky Box will include asparagus that might be a little bent from the weather but will still taste incredible. Whether you grill it on the BBQ, throw it into a pasta dish, mix it into a stir-fry or eat it rolled up in bread, we don’t care, we just want you to enjoy asparagus fresh and in season,” says Mike Arnold.
Angus Simms from Wonky Box is excited to bring LeaderBrand into their programme.
“South Islanders are in for a treat with LeaderBrand’s delicious, imperfect asparagus. We’re thrilled to partner with such a respected grower, offering produce outside traditional retail channels while reducing waste and bringing more fresh & local goodness to Kiwi homes.”
By engaging with Wonky Box in the South Island and Woolworth’s Odd Bunch programme, we’re able to reduce our waste.

Keep an eye out for our imperfect asparagus in your next Wonky Box, or at your local Woolworths in the Odd Bunch programme.
Click here to tune in to Mike Arnold’s chat with Dominic George on the Rural Exchange about New Zealand’s asparagus season.