Gourmet foodies spice up Christmas

BUSY TIME: Claire Cilliers and Rachel Dawson are gearing up their hamper business for the Christmas rush.

Christmas is the time of giving and one Whanganui niche business is ramping up its operation for the festive season.

The Grocers is a gourmet food provider, sourcing New Zealand-made product and having it delivered around Whanganui and the country.

Claire Cilliers and Rachel Dawson launched the business two years ago and since then it has thrived.

"We're run off our feet filling orders for both local and national customers," Cilliers said.

And the business has been given a boost, having been accepted to the BuyNZ campaign.

"All our products are made and manufactured in New Zealand and we are very proud to support NZ manufacturers," she said.

The Grocers had grown its range of products substantially and some of them have been included in the Christmas hampers they are selling.

"We've upgraded our boxes to lovely wooden boxes that are made in NZ, are environmentally friendly and can be reused. And we've got a heap of new products from manuka-smoked mustards to apricot ham glazes and dark whiskey marmalades."

The hampers start from $50 (excluding delivery) and can be shipped anywhere around the country.

"Rachel and I have been chuffed with the support we've been getting from the Whanganui community," Cilliers said.

The Grocers will be holding a "taste testing" at 5pm on December 17 at Jolt Coffee House in the Bridge Block, and they are also at the River Traders Market every Saturday. They can be contacted on 0800 476 2377 or email: info@the grocers.co.nz or order online at www.thegrocers.co.nz.