The government is investing $50,000 into helping a group of Hawke's Bay growers explore if they can buy the McCain Foods vegetable processing, set to close next year.

The Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay mayors requested an eight-week pause for growers to find a solution for a possible take-over.

The government is investing $50,000 into helping a group of Hawke's Bay growers explore if they can buy the McCain Foods vegetable processing, set to close next year.