Celebrating 55 years of Barker's
2024-10-01
It all started by making wine from elderberries foraged locally. Now 55 years later, we're filling Kiwi pantries with syrups, sauces, spreads, toppings and much more!
We wouldn't be where we are today without Anthony and Gillian Barker's hard mahi and pioneering spirit back in 1969.
55 years ago, Anthony Barker had already established himself as a sheep farmer when he decided to dabble in making elderberry wine, cooking up freshly harvested fruit by hand in old laundry coppers.
We're honouring our founder's entrepreneurial spirit with a sculpture at the Barker’s Foodstore & Eatery, as part of the evolving Geraldine Sculpture Trail, created by Metalworks Wānaka, depicting Anthony Barker working away over his laundry copper.
The sculpture symbolises the company’s legacy as well as its future, as it looks ahead to continued growth.
Steve Rumore, from Metalworks Wānaka, shared with us:
“Further, crafting authentic detail (especially the wonderful variety of fruit), within the overall project budget was a bit of a juggle at times! The outcome is worth the head scratching, as is the honour of becoming a part of Barker's most impressive history. We are adding this to a long list of satisfactions and joys that come from creating commissioned sculpture.”
We celebrated the 55th and sculpture unveiling at the Foodstore & Eatery in Geraldine with past and current staff.
Michael Barker, son of founders and previous Barker’s CEO, reflected on the past 55 years: "I was just 12 years old when Mum and Dad started making elderberry wine in a converted shed on their small farm in Pleasant Valley, 8km from here. They would be absolutely amazed to know that their business is now celebrating 55 years."
Our CEO, Agnes Baekelandt shared our commitment to our local community, with a new factory to be built on the very same family farm: “We want to provide the safest possible workplace for our team, and more space means a safer and easier environment for our staff. With a new factory comes more space for new equipment and technology, so we'll be able to stretch the portfolios of all our brands even further, exploring new products ranges.”
The next time you’re visiting Geraldine, check out “Anthony Barker”, the newest addition to the Geraldine Sculpture Trail at the Barker's Foodstore & Eatery.
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