Portland Cool Store & Packing Shed

David Alexander ‐ Senior Partner

It would be a truly unique youngster who hasn't wished of doing something else, rather than the homework sitting in front of them. Perhaps it's opening bat for Australia on the first day of an Ashes Boxing Test. Or maybe it's saving the world from an impending meteorite with their superhuman superpowers. For David Alexander, Senior Partner (along with Reg and John) and Grower of Portland Cool Store and Packing Shed, his wish was more straightforward and as down to earth as the soil he works.

"I can still remember doing my homework, looking out the window, and wishing I could be working in the orchard, rather than sitting at the desk."

David is the third generation Alexander to grow apples on his family property, located just outside the Victorian town of Portland. His picturesque farm is inundated with rich soils, that when combined with the area's mild climate, produce some of the most mouth‐watering apples you're likely to find anywhere. With a large selection of Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Sundowner, and their most popular variety, Pink Lady, every taste is catered for.

Growing such high‐quality produce isn't without its challenges, the weather being the main instigator, but for matter‐of‐fact David, "that's a given". And on the occasion the skies generously open up to deliver hail, David has that covered too, literally. Most of his orchard has been installed with nets, preventing the hail from ever reaching his precious produce.

Portland Cool Store & Packing Shed has been supplying produce to Woolworths since the 1970s. Coming into its fourth decade, it's a relationship based on mutual respect.

"The vast majority of our fruit is sold through Woolworths, enabling us to sustain and grow our business successfully into the future" says David.

And it's a future David relishes being a part of.

"I love getting to the point of harvest and seeing top quality fruit after all our hard work. It's very fulfilling and rewarding. And there's nothing better than working out in the orchard on a glorious day" explains David.

After all the hard work that goes into growing such tasty apples, it's important that once you get them home, they're properly looked after. David strongly recommends your apples being placed in the crisper of the refrigerator, preferably in a plastic ventilated bag or suitable container in order to avoid tainting from other food. And when the craving to sink your teeth into a juicy apple arrives, you should eat it straight from the fridge, or at room temperature.

Of course apples are a wonderful inclusion to many recipes. When asked if he had a favourite one, without a moment's hesitation David responded, "Mum's apple crumble."

Mum's Apple Crumble

• 1 cup of self‐raising flour
• ¼ cup of brown sugar
• ¼ cup of white sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 6 (delicious, healthy and crisp) medium Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples, stewed.

Method: Sift the flour and salt, then rub in the butter and add sugar. Lastly mix in the egg until it resembles breadcrumbs. Put the hot stewed apple in a medium oven dish and sprinkle prepared mixture on top. Cook in a moderate oven for 20‐25 minutes, and then you're done, finally left with 'Mum's apple crumble'. A creation every mum would be proud of. To give it that extra kick of yum, serve it with a generous serving of custard and ice‐cream.