The Village Berry

Most of us can only dream of having a supermarket alternative like The Village Berry in our neighbourhood. Standing on the corner of Ballance Street and Ormond Road in Gisborne, this beloved store first started out as a popular real fruit ice cream shop, churning local berries and seasonal specials (think Black Doris plum and feijoa) into heavenly swirls during summertime weekends. Lines out the door were not uncommon – and we hear the current record stands at 650 ice creams sold in one day.

Local Shelley Hunt took over the business back in 2011, and she was joined by her son-in-law Tom McCann in 2020. These days the shop has evolved from operating on weekends in summer to opening every day, all year long – with much more than ice cream waiting behind those happy sunshine-yellow doors. 

The product range has diversified to include seasonal fruit and vegetables from organic small-scale gardens, including stone fruit and nashi pears from the family’s nearby orchard, loaves of fresh sourdough, vibrant juices and smoothies, as well as an abundance of artisan goods filling the shelves and fridges (Knock Knock Organics, Hill Road Orchard and La Tortilla Shop are just a few of many local names you’ll see in the mix).

Even in winter, the ice cream machine continues to hum, thanks to hoards of frozen berries stashed away from the summer. Warm homemade chocolate brownies make the perfect base for your frozen treat on chilly days, and the kitchen whips up hearty bowls of soup, toasties and pies to keep the community chipper while they hold out for the return of summer. 

The Village Berry makes supporting local growers and eating with the seasons simple and accessible, with reasonable price tags that won’t blow out your budget. 80% of the range is sourced from Gisborne and what they can’t get down the road, they’ll source from the closest town possible. Point to a punnet of strawberries, jar of pickles or bottle of orange juice and the team will be able to tell you where it’s from and all about the person who grew or made it. The world could use more places like this.