Local entrepreneurs support Fijian farmers with the creation of luxury, sugar-free beverage
New start-up, Three Hundred Islands, is taking the Fijian tourism market by storm, with a unique ginger beverage that boldly aims to deliver visitors an authentic taste of the Fiji Islands. This week they are excited to be bringing their ginger beverage to the NZ Food Show at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland,” New Zealand. The sugar-free drink is fittingly called the Ginger Elixir, thanks to the ancient medicinal qualities of the hero ingredient - succulent Fijian-grown pink ginger.
About the company
Three Hundred Islands is a social enterprise that began in the kitchen of two passionate mothers, Siteri Puamau and Kellie Stanbury. With their deep knowledge of tourism in Fiji, they were determined to create healthy, delicious, community-conscious items that boost peoples’ health and quality of life and give tourists a uniquely Fijian experience.
The company, who has established themselves as a promising social enterprise, is focused on creating products that support Fiji’s farming sector and showcase the nation’s bountiful produce.
“We are so lucky in Fiji because our rich, fertile soil produces some of the best ginger, spices, fruit and vegetables in the world,’’ said Three Hundred Islands co-founder Mrs Stanbury.
“We were delighted when presented with the opportunity of a stand at Pacific Trade Investments Hub at the prestigious NZ Food Show because of the chance to showcase Fiji’s purity and quality of produce through our Ginger Elixir – thousands of people will be able to sample it for themselves!.”
About Market Development Facility
Committed to building a socially and environmentally sustainable business, the Three Hundred Islands team are partnering with the Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian multicountry initiative operational in five countries in Asia Pacific, MDF uses a market systems (MSD) approach to achieve long-term, lasting growth, alleviate poverty and create sustainable jobs for poor women and men.
In Fiji, MDF focuses on developing a growing, diversified and inclusive tourism industry, while also improving the competitiveness of Fiji’s high value agriculture and urban industries.
Growth opportunities
The opportunities for growth exist in developing more Fijian high value agricultural products, where local raw materials can be processed into premium products for the tourism and export markets, thus the synergies between their partnership are well-aligned. Having only launched in November 2018, Three Hundred Islands Ginger Elixir is already seeing outstanding support with high profile business such as ANZ Corporate Events, The Rhum-Ba and Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay welcoming their guests with the zingy, all-natural drink. The product is also sold through other resorts, bars and retail outlets in Fiji.
“With the growing demand for source-origin products, Three Hundred Islands Ginger Elixir has allowed us to create a menu of exotic local cocktails and conscious alcohol-free alternatives,” said Achim Herterich, Executive Assistant manager Food and Beverage for Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. By showcasing produce and flavours that represent Fiji and its rich cultural tapestry, co-founder Mrs Puamau says the Ginger Elixir is the ideal welcome drink within the tourism industry to enhance the already iconic ‘Bula welcome’ visitors to Fiji know and love. The beverage’s smooth but spicy flavour is deeply memorable and aims to deliver guests with their ‘first and lasting taste of Fiji’, that will continue to remind them of their visit to our tropical islands even once they’ve returned home. Three Hundred Islands Ginger Elixir can be purchased from Prouds stores across Fiji, as well at duty free shopping at Nadi International Airport.
The founders say the product range will continue to expand throughout 2019, and that they are currently exploring export opportunities.