Elana Bruwer's passion for food production began with her study of home economics at university and continued as she pursued a career at Ashton Canning in the Western Cape. Then in 2005, the company was bought by Tiger Brands and merged with Langeberg Foods, and Bruwer's employment contract was changed from two-thirds of a day to a full-day job. Being the mother of two small boys at that stage, Bruwer was unwilling to make this change and resigned in order to spend more time with her family (husband Jaco and sons Roelou and Muller) on their farm, Drie Eike, near Robertson.
But being a stay-at-home mother was not enough for her. "I had this itch to do something more, but what? It was a time of rediscovering who I was and what I wanted to achieve with my life," she says.
Determined to stay busy, she produced fudge for church and school bazaars, and in due course, trifles for Robertson's Christmas fair and various food items for sale at the local farmers' market. All these were made in her small farm kitchen. These activities rapidly gained momentum, and in 2006 she took the plunge and opened up a full-blown food-processing business, which she called Elana's.
Bruwer's product range grew with time and today includes chocolate trifles, pizza bases and toppings, reductions, cordials, jams, marmalades, preserves and slaphakskeentjies (traditional onion salad).
The products are currently sold in about 75 outlets, including roadside stalls, farm delis and shops, primarily in the Western Cape. Most have been sold through word of mouth, but Bruwer has recently begun exploring ways to market her produce via social media and other means.
The Bruwers also have an on-farm shop, which was being expanded during Farmer's Weekly's visit.
GROWING THE BUSINESS'S TURNOVER
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 09, 2022-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 09, 2022-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.