Taking a punt on fresh vegetables
When the world of everyday New Zealanders was turned upside down in March, Eat Local NZ was born.
Launched in Invercargill by Glen Malcolm, the business has taken off since the country was put into lockdown.
Fresh vegetables are now delivered to the doors of customers nationwide. This gives local growers another avenue to sell through, Malcolm said. ‘‘We source some of our produce directly off growers and the rest of our fruit and vegetables from the wholesale market.
‘‘Our aim is to support local where possible, and also source from the best areas for the produce grown, i.e. Northland Kumera, Canterbury onions, Southland parsnips and carrots etc.’’
Where other businesses ceased trading during level 4, Malcolm was just starting, and he has found several positives from the experience.
‘‘Home delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables has always been a dream of mine, however life has always got in the way and it stayed just that, a dream ... until March 2020 when we said hello to our world being turned upside down by Covid-19.’’
Knowing that in a pandemic, it’s imperative that we increase our consumption of fruit and vegetables, Malcolm took a chance and it has paid off. ‘‘Overall we’ve had a great uptake of the service,’’ he said.
‘‘People have really supported us, coming on board during the lockdown and stuck with us in spite of slow courier services etc.
‘‘Now we have a core of loyal regular customers.’’
Classified as an essential service, Eat Local NZ was primarily set up in response to the impending lockdown at the end of March.
‘‘We have also used this time to refine our processes and customer experience in view of growing the business post-Covid and beyond,’’ Malcolm said.
The business employs up to three casual staff and this will increase in the future.