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The Eatlocal blog
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Stone Fruit Secrets: Why Some Hold On and Others Let Go
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


Why We’re Skipping Black Friday (And What We’re Doing Instead)
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


A Little Bit Fancy: Shandy's Elderflower Cordial & Elderflower Fizz
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


Spring Freshness: What’s in Season Right Now
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


A Sad Farewell to a Kiwi Favourite
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


Leftovers: Love Them, Use Them, Don't Lose Them!
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


Falling Leaves & Filling Meals: Autumn Inspo
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


4 Irresistible Reasons to Fall for Avocados
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


Delicious Vegan Food: Discover Plant-Based Choices at Eatlocal
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


Prevent Brain Drain: 5 Strategies to Retain Talent & Reduce Employee Turnover
Five key strategies to help transform your workplace culture and boost employee loyalty.


The Importance of Gut Health: The Power of Fresh Foods and a Balanced Diet
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


Fresh Fruit For a Healthier, Happier Workplace
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 Veges: Winter's Nutrient Powerhouse
Cruciferous vegetables play a starring role in winter cooking, offering both hearty nutrition and robust flavours.


"Purple Power": Exploring The Benefits Of Purple Fruit & Veges
These colourful veges are not only easy on the eye, but also packed with powerful nutrients that can boost your overall well-being.


A Jewel In The Orchard: Red Kiwifruit
Eatlocal is all about celebrating the freshest, most exciting seasonal produce, and today we're shining a spotlight on a dazzling discovery!


Pinoli Pine Nuts: Mastering The Art Of Pine Nut Harvesting
Discover more about the unique flavour of Pinoli Pine Nuts. Grown locally, these gourmet gems add a rich touch to any meal.


From Field To Cup: The Unboring Story of Boring Oat Milk
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


The Freshest Tofu: Tips, Tricks, and Delicious Recipes
All you ever wanted to know about tofu, but were afraid to ask! We're thrilled to share that Eatlocal now offers the freshest tofu, perfect for those embracing Meat Free Mondays or looking to expand their culinary experiences. We've teamed up with The Tofuman of Christchurch, a family-owned business who have over forty years of expertise in tofu craftsmanship. Originating from China, tofu is a staple ingredient in numerous Asian dishes and is a popular choice in vegetarian an


Tomato Season: It's A Vine Time To Buy!
With the tomato season reaching its peak, it's the perfect opportunity to stock up on fresh, juicy tomatoes at unbeatable prices. The tomato season here kicks off in early spring and can continue until late autumn, giving our growers a generous window to work their magic to provide us with this versatile fruit. Tomatoes are grown both outdoors and undercover in New Zealand. When the weather's on our side tomatoes thrive, soaking up the sun. This outdoor approach is especially


Tag 1 Triumph: Discover the Pinnacle of Freshness
Selecting produce might seem straightforward, but what if there’s a level of quality, a cut above the rest, that you’ve been missing out on? It's an all-too-familiar scenario: believing we’ve picked the freshest fruits and vegetables, only to face disappointment with bland, floppy produce. Settling for less means bypassing exceptional quality and missing out on hidden gems! So how do you discover the pinnacle of freshness and find diamonds in amongst the ordinary stones? Di


Fruit at Work: A Sweet Deal for Your Office
Choose Eatlocal For Your Fruit at Work A happy team is a productive team. Yet, finding fresh and easy ways to keep morale high can be a challenge. That’s where Eatlocal steps in, offering you a seamless way to encourage healthy snacking and promote a sense of well-being in your workplace. Introducing our Fruit at Work service: tailor-made fruit boxes to meet your team’s needs. We all know that snack time is crucial. It’s that quick break where you recharge, catch up with a co


Healthy Food For Students: Show Them You Care From Afar
At Eatlocal, we understand that sending your loved ones off to college is a milestone that...


Grocery Shopping Made Easy!
Are you busy and struggling to find time to get to the supermarket? When you finally do get there, are you fed up with the poor quality of the fresh fruit and veges? We hear you! Here's the freshness you've been looking for! Our box subscription service makes grocery shopping easy! Eatlocal brings you super-fresh, premium-grade, locally-grown f ruit and vege boxes of Tag 1 grade, meaning it’s the highest quality available in the grocery industry. With your to-do list probab


Make Your 2023 Awesome!
After all the seasonal excess of Christmas cheer, it's that time of the year when many of us do our best to make promises to lead a healthier lifestyle. Eating healthy and nutritious food is a great way to get started. But how can you ensure you follow through on your resolutions and make healthier food choices this year? Here are a few tips to help you stay on track. Make a plan. It doesn't have to be complex—figure out what types of meals you like and want to make, and, the
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