The government is providing $50,000 to support a group of Hawke’s Bay growers as they assess the potential purchase of the McCain Foods vegetable processing facility, which is scheduled to close next year.
More than 100 growers of peas, corn, beans and carrots will be impacted by the closure of the Hastings site, the company confirmed in March.
A group of growers who supplied McCain has said it is exploring the possibility of purchasing the factory.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said the government will support the group in exploring the proposal.
In a statement, McClay said the government will commit $50,000 for the early stages of a feasibility study to assess what would be required for a grower-led purchase of the site to be commercially viable.
“I know this is a difficult time for the more than 100 Hawke’s Bay growers impacted by the site’s closure and the rural communities they belong to,” he added.
McClay said he and government officials had met with representatives in the region and local mayors to gather further information.
“I’ve asked my officials to remain in close contact with growers and to provide their expertise where required.”
Last week, a McCain representative said it was unable to pause the shutdown, as the commercial sale process for the site was already underway.