It seems working at the Blackmans Point business among the tomatoes and strawberries can be a fruitful occupation in more ways than one.

Four Hastings women who work at the plant, north of Port Macquarie, have become pregnant in the past year.

They do say tomatoes are the love apple and strawberries the fruit of love, so it makes perfect sense.

Ricardoes Tomatoes owner Anthony Sarks said Mother's Day would be an even bigger deal this year.

"We are wondering if there is something in the water out here," he said, laughing.

"We reckon the strawberry patch has superseded the cabbage patch for babies."

Samantha Stever, 20, will celebrate her first Mother's Day on Sunday following the birth of her daughter Savannah.

The former greenhouse worker had been at Ricardoes for just two months when she discovered she was expecting her first child.

About two weeks ago, Ricardoes' Cafe Red waitress Michelle White gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Miekah Zali.

Susan Evans, who may even have her baby on Mother's Day, has retired temporarily from the produce shop and packing sheds to await her new arrival.

Liz Farrell, from Cafe Red, is expecting in about six weeks.

Mr Sarks is not sure if the Ricardoes environment has something to do with the spate of births. But he was very proud and happy for the expanding families.

terri.vandijk@ruralpress.com