Finding Favour with the French

Shoppers at the La Cigale French Style Farmers market in Parnell are warming to the taste of the Pacific every Saturday and Sunday.

True Pacific has a site selling a range of products, including chutneys, sauces, vanilla beans, coffee, noni juice and jams, all sourced, produced and packaged from across the Pacific Islands from Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to Samoa and the Cook Islands.

Frances Hartnell, True Pacific’s Project Manager, says the move to sell at the markets is aimed at developing relationships directly with customers and building awareness.  “One of the biggest challenges in introducing new products into the New Zealand market is getting retail outlets on board,” she says. “But if we can go directly to the consumer and create a following, then they help create the demand for their retailers to come on board.”

Frances says the initial feedback has been groundbreaking and positive. “The Tamarind chutney from Friend’s Fiji has been very popular, but a number of buyers admitted they didn’t even know they made such products in the Pacific,” she says. “Pacific people have said how nice it is to have mango products, which are hard to get in New Zealand.”

Nevertheless buyers are prepared to pay prices higher than similar mass-products sold in the major supermarkets because of their uniqueness and quality. “They’re buying because we give them the opportunity to sample the products first,” says Frances. “It’s a real foodie’s market. The people who come here expect a certain quality and uniqueness. If those expectations are met, they’re prepared to pay.”

The Cigale French Style Farmers Market
Where-  69 St George’s Bay Road in Parnell
When-  open Saturdays 8am-1.30pm and Sunday 9am-1.30pm.

ENTER HERE TO ENTER THE DRAW FOR A TRUE PACIFIC TASTING HAMPER