Morpeth pumpkins will be sold outside Shortland Public School on April 1

Shortland Public School hopes to sell 400 pumpkins at the school gate on April 1 to pay the farmers a fair price and put money towards revamping the school hall.

Medium and large pumpkins will be sold for $4 and extra large pumpkins will be sold for $5.

The farmers will be paid $3 for each pumpkin. 

The demand for Morpeth pumpkins continues to soar after last week’s mega pumpkin stall where thousands flocked to The Levee in Maitland and bought 20 tonnes of pumpkins.

The school sold 200 pumpkins earlier this week after word got out that Morpeth pumpkins had arrived in Shortland. 

The P&C had to order an extra 400 to try to meet the anticipated demand.

“We’re helping local farmers and we’re teaching local kids about buying local and supporting local farmers,” parent Renae Downie said.

Students tend to their own vegetable patch at the school and are learning about sustainability.

Ms Downie said the fund-raising drive, which starts at the school gate at 2pm, was another way to teach the students about the important role farmers play.

“If people want some pumpkins they’ll have to get in early,” she said.

 “The sale is supposed to go for two hours, but we might sell out early.”