Anne Prescott has been in the food industry for as long as she can remember, with humble beginnings as a dish hand through to buying her first food business, a café, in 1998. Prescott spoke to the team about developing a Bircher mix and using as many New Zealand ingredients as possible.
What is your company background, how did you start the business?
“In 1998 my partner Kevin and I purchased a chilli farm and made sauce, relish, pickles and pastes. We sold this in 2014, and I purchased the artisan business of Peggy Daring, Muesli Made Brave in August 2015 after a bit of a break from self-employment.”
What are the current product range and variants and how do these products stand out in the market?
“We have six different varieties of toasted muesli with the newest one being Low Sugar/toasted oats with dates and spices. This one also happens to be vegan-friendly along with the added bonus of having less than 5.6 grams of sugar per 75 gram serve.
Our other four are Pear with Ginger and Almond; a very unique flavour combo and our most popular, Fruit Seed and Nut; runner-up in the favourites, Honey and Vanilla Toasted Oats, Organic Blend and a Gluten Free; very tasty, using puffed rice, puffed Amaranth and gluten-free cornflakes for great crunch and texture.
We have also developed a Bircher mix or overnight oats as some call it. This has a blend of oats, spices, fruit and sunflower seeds. We sell this ready-made at the Farmers Market on Sundays or in a take-home pack to make up on your own.”
Has there been any recent company news?
“The Low Sugar and the Bircher mix.”
What are the plans for the business moving forward, is there any expansion on the horizon?
“The product is made fresh and pretty much to order so expansion would be easy but we need more retailers to justify this. I love the fact that we use as many New Zealand ingredients as possible such as hazelnuts form Waipukurau, walnuts from the South Island and honey from the Hawkes Bay. Our oats are from New Zealand as well.”
Where are your products currently available to buy, and are you looking at or wanting to expand your availability? If so, where would you like to see the product situated?
“We would love to be in more retail outlets, especially south of Hawkes Bay. The Auckland market seems well covered with Farro Fresh stocking our muesli, although not all varieties. Locally, we have the Hawkes Bay Farmers Market every Sunday along with some local stores, as per our website www.peggydaring.co.nz.”
