Fresh Reads

Floury apples? Not on our watch! There's nothing quite like biting into a lovely, crisp apple. And there's nothing quite as disappointing as expecting that satisfying crunch and getting a mouthful of soft, floury apple instead. Yuck! When is apple season in New Zealand? Our apple harvest generally runs from February through to May, with different varieties ripening at different times. Our main apple-growing regions include Hawke's Bay, Nelson and Central Otago, where the clim

Asparagus season is one of those little signs that spring has arrived in New Zealand. After months of winter veges, those first fresh green spears are a very welcome sight. But they also come with a price tag that can make you wonder: why is asparagus so expensive? There are actually some pretty solid reasons. It takes years before you get a proper crop Asparagus is a perennial, which means the plants stay in the ground for twenty years or more, coming back year after year. B

After twenty-five years, I finally retired my cast iron cookware. The enamel had chipped on the cooking surface, so it was time. I always thought they'd last me for life, and to be fair, 25 years wasn't a bad effort. I replaced them with stainless steel. No coating, nothing to chip or wear away, just good honest metal that, if I look after it, could easily see me through another 25 years. What I wasn't expecting was having to learn how to cook all over again. The First Disast

Kiwifruit season is in full swing, and they're tasting fantastic right now. They're one of those fruits that can leave you wondering whether to eat them now or wait another couple of days. Some people like them firm and tangy. Others prefer them soft and juicy. The good news is there's no wrong way. It really comes down to what you enjoy. It's a bit like apples. Some people love a tart Granny Smith, while others reach straight for a sweeter Royal Gala. Firm Kiwifruit If you l

The clocks have gone back, there’s a bit more chill in the mornings, and suddenly dinner needs to be something a bit more comforting. It doesn’t feel like that long since we were talking about last autumn, but here we are again! Whether you’re feeding a crew, getting ahead for the week, or just trying to use up what’s in the fridge before it turns to mush, here’s what’s looking good right now and how to make the most of it. Some of these you’ll see year-round, but this is whe

Food rarely gets wasted on day one. It gets wasted mid-week when it is still usable, just not at its best. A soft tomato. Greens that have lost their perk. Bread edging towards dry. That is usually the moment it gets tossed. According to the Ministry for the Environment’s Aotearoa New Zealand Baseline Food Loss and Waste Project , around 1.22 million tonnes of food are lost or wasted every year. That works out to about 237 kilograms per person. Around 30% of that happens at t

Garlic is not just an ingredient; it’s a culinary superhero! It can transform your meals and elevate your cooking game. Let’s dive deeper into the world of garlic and explore its many facets. Measure with Your Heart Recipes may suggest a certain number of cloves, but in reality, you can be a bit more relaxed about it. Garlic isn’t something you need to stress over. If you like a gentle flavour, use less. If you love that warm, garlicky hit, add another clove or two. Cooking w

Stone fruit season has arrived, and I have made no secret over the years that it's my favourite time here at Eatlocal. Sorry, kiwifruit, but as much as we love you, your local growing season has come to an end for 2025, and our heads have been turned by the new kids on the block. While enjoying a juicy peach or nectarine, you might have noticed that when you cut into it, the flesh sometimes clings onto the stone for dear life, while other times it falls away neatly. There is

Every year, around about now, the onslaught begins. Your inbox fills with emails promising massive savings. Ads are relentless, shouting “DON’T MISS OUT!” like the world will end if you don’t buy a cheap air fryer by midnight. And for a while there, Eatlocal jumped on the Black Friday bandwagon. We worked out what we thought we wouldn't mind losing, designed the graphics, posted them all over our socials, and hoped that maybe it would feel like a good fit. It never really did

Every now and then, a product comes along that makes you stop and say, “Ooh, that’s a little bit special.” Shandy’s Elderflower Cordial and Elderflower Fizz are exactly that! Handmade in small batches, they use simple, handed-down methods that just work. Sharon & Andy Sharon and Andy (the “ Sh-Andy ” behind the name) live on their family farm in Sheffield, nestled in the Selwyn District. A few years back, they decided to share the family recipes and products they’d enjoyed fo

How fabulous is spring? The longer daylight hours, the air scented with the aroma of freshly-cut grass, and the vibrant green leaves with all their shiny newness. Not to mention the bright, colourful, fresh fruit and veges bursting with flavour. Move over, hearty stews and root vegetables - it's time for crunchy salads and lighter meals! Buying seasonal produce means fresher, better-tasting food that’s also kinder on your wallet and the planet. Fewer food miles, less packagin

After trying to place an order with Parisettes Gourmet Dressings and coming up against a few roadblocks, I decided to call them to find out what was happening. What I learned really saddened me. After more than twenty years in business, Parisettes has closed its doors for good. When I spoke to the owner, I told him I’d really miss their dressings. He chuckled and said: “ I’m under a bit of pressure at home too ...” meaning his family was probably going to nag him to make

We're all busy, plus we want to make our food dollars go as far as they can. We mean well. That little container of leftover pasta was destined for great things. But somehow, it’s still in the fridge, lurking at the back behind the yoghurt, silently judging us. Sound familiar? The truth is, most of us are great at cooking with good intentions but not so great at planning what comes next. The key isn’t just in using leftovers—it’s in cooking with leftovers in mind. A little

Now that the clocks have gone back and daylight hours are getting shorter, it’s time to start thinking about hearty meals and warming dishes. Autumn is the season of comfort food, with a healthy twist. And lucky for us, it’s also when some of the best fruit and veges come into their own. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal-prepping for the week, or just trying to find ways to use up what’s in the fridge before it goes sad and squishy, here’s a look at what’s in season right

Avocados—creamy, green, and downright delicious—are more than just a yummy toast topping. These nutrient-packed wonders have rightfully earned their title as a superfruit. Not only do they taste incredible, but they’re also brimming with health benefits and are grown right here in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty. Let’s explore why avocados deserve a spot on your plate. Packed with Heart-Healthy Fats One of the standout features of avocados is their high content of monounsaturated

Looking for delicious vegan food options that celebrate fresh, local goodness? At Eatlocal , we’re thrilled to bring you an incredible range of vegan products that tick all the boxes - locally sourced, packed with flavour, and always fresh. Whether you’re fully vegan or simply want more plant-based meals in your week, our vegan treasures are here to inspire! Fresh, Seasonal Goodness, Delivered to Your Door Let’s start with the heart of any vegan diet—fresh produce. And when

Five key strategies to help transform your workplace culture and boost employee loyalty.

Why Your Gut Health Matters Did you know your gut is home to trillions of tiny helpers that weigh about as much as your brain? This incredible ecosystem, the gut microbiome, plays a huge role in keeping your body and mind healthy. Scientists have even discovered a fascinating link between your gut and brain, showing that what happens in your belly can affect how you feel, think, and handle stress. Let's dive into why caring for your gut is so important for a happier, healthie

Looking for a tasty way to give your team a boost? Our fruit deliveries, packed with top notch seasonal freshness are the perfect solution.

Cruciferous vegetables play a starring role in winter cooking, offering both hearty nutrition and robust flavours.

These colourful veges are not only easy on the eye, but also packed with powerful nutrients that can boost your overall well-being.

Eatlocal is all about celebrating the freshest, most exciting seasonal produce, and today we're shining a spotlight on a dazzling discovery!

Discover more about the unique flavour of Pinoli Pine Nuts. Grown locally, these gourmet gems add a rich touch to any meal.

Have you ever taken a sip of Boring Oat Milk and found yourself anything but bored? If you haven't tried it yet, here's why you might consider using it over your usual plant-based milk. Crafted with love right in our backyard of New Zealand, using oats harvested from the lush fields of the South Island, this oat milk is the creamy delight your morning routine has been missing. Whether you're jazzing up your coffee or giving your cereal a makeover - overnight oats made with oa