Roots And Rosella Jam
The Fruit Of Forrest Beach By Joe And Dan

Away in the back streets of Forrest Beach, a 2.5-acre block is proving that passion and patience can transform a few lone mango trees into a thriving horticultural sanctuary. For two decades, Daniel has tended to this land, but alongside his partner Joanne (Joe), the property has blossomed into a diverse produce hub boasting a staggering 90 species of fruit and vegetables.

The transition from a traditional plot to a lush orchard was a deliberate one. While the original mango trees nodded to the region’s Italian farming heritage, Dan and Joe wanted more variety. Today, the garden is a treasure trove of the familiar and the exotic, ranging from staples like avocados and pawpaws to more unusual finds such as breadfruit, custard apples, and soursop.

For Daniel, the love of the soil started early. “I sold my first lettuce to the greengrocer when I was twelve. I sold twenty lettuces for fifteen cents each and I was so happy. I have been growing veggies and fruit trees ever since,” he recalls.

That childhood spark has evolved into a sophisticated, council-approved home business. Joe manages a kitchen that meets strict health standards, ensuring their award-winning jams are as safe as they are delicious. Their signature Rosella jam has even garnered a national following.

"Everything jam-wise is out of the garden, except for the sugar,” Dan explains. “Grey nomads buy it at the local markets, go on their way, then they ring up from Perth and say, ‘Oh, can you send 10 jars over, please?’”

The couple prides themselves on quality that supermarkets simply cannot match. Every piece of produce is hand-picked and nurtured with home-made compost and worm juice fertilisers. This dedication results in fruit often double the size of commercial alternatives, sold at a fraction of the price.

“People are craving that home-fresh farm produce, something that hasn’t been sprayed forty-seven times,” Dan says, noting that they are filling a gap left by the passing of the old-school local growers.

Their home-grown fruit business relies on a simple honesty stall at the front of their property. While a recent incident involved the theft of several items—including custard apples and a red pawpaw—the couple remains focused on their community mission. They have a long history of supporting locals, having provided fresh food during the 2025 floods and maintaining regular donations to those in need. For them, the stall is about a connection to the land and their neighbours.

Plans are underway to expand with a greenhouse to propagate their own saplings and seedlings, Joe and Dan are looking happily toward the future. For those craving fruit double the size and often half the price of the supermarket, a scenic drive to 63 Forrest Beach comes with a healthy reward for the wallet and the tastebuds.

Joe and Dan work together, and with friendly competitive spirit to produce bountiful produce to share with the community in Forrest Beach. Photo credits: Victoria Velton

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