Local showcase
Blenheim’s Herb + Olive makes use of the overabundance of produce from local growers and producers.
Aheritage bank building in the centre of Blenheim’s township is the home of the gorgeous Herb + Olive, a family-owned café that focuses on seasonal and local products. With the mantra of “support locals and they will support you”, Herb + Olive thrives in Blenheim by offering produce from local suppliers every chance they can.
“We’ve developed a concept where if people have an overabundance of veges and fruit, which often happens in the peak of summer, people can come in and we’ll do a swap for their produce in exchange for food and coffee from the café. The aim was to create a real community feel and a sense of belonging,” owner Richard Barton says.
Herb + Olive’s menu is always changing, which makes the brown paper scroll on the wall a great idea to showcase what’s on offer on any given day. The interior is fresh and minimalist, but also has some fun and quirky features, like the station where you can fill your own bottle with kombucha.
“The idea is to be a community social hub. We offer free Artemis breastfeeding tea to any nursing mums to make them feel welcome. We also have a kids’ nook tucked away in the old bank vault [aligning with] our family-focused philosophy,” Barton says. Family played a huge part in Herb + Olive’s inception and continues right through to the daily running of the café. It was when Barton and his family spent a long weekend with his sister, Mai, who is the creator of Matakana’s Alma Whole Food Store, that the idea for Herb + Olive came about.
Barton and his wife Alex loved the idea of a family-run restaurant involving his parents and his two kids. His mother, Jude, enjoys sharing her love of creating great recipes and design, and his dad, Pete, drops in twice a day to deliver bread, make sure the floors are spotless and have a good chat. The café gets its name from a combination of his children’s (four-year-old Angus and six-year-old Rosie) middle names: Herbert and Olive. Not only does Herb + Olive focus on providing the best in local ingredients, they also limit waste. “Marlborough is lucky to have a glass bottle milk delivery with Oakland Milk from Nelson. Since taking them on, Herb + Olive has almost saved 1000 plastic milk bottles already this year and will continue on a journey to zero-waste,” Barton says.
With their focus on community, environment and engagement, Herb + Olive is a fabulous place to relax and enjoy a delicious meal or coffee, knowing you’re well and truly supporting local.