A North Otago organic vegetable growing business, recently approached to appear on Country Calendar, has gone into voluntary liquidation owing more than $1 million, while a subsidiary company owes more than $300,000.
Organic Solutions, which traded as Oamaru Organics, is 53.45% owned by James Porteous — who is also the sole director — and Australian-based Lanson International Holdings Pty Ltd (46.55%).
Touted as the largest organic market garden in the South Island, it sold vegetables both at a roadside stall at Totara and through the Otago Farmers Market.
In a statement, Mr Porteous said the farm had ‘‘long struggled with chronic overstaffing’’, which significantly increased its financial burden and led to an…
