When food is made from ingredients fresh from the land and made for the love of it – it just has to be good
story lee currie
From pickles to prosciutto there’s now a fair selection of locally made foods in delis and farmers’ markets, while some products have made their way into the bigger stores. They’ve gained popularity with good reason. Artisanal foods – as opposed to foods that are mass produced – generally have no additives or hormones, taste better and have a much shorter journey to your table! It’s become a very competitive market and KZN food entrepreneurs need to come up with something pretty special to be noticed – and ultimately succeed as a business.
Former Crawford teacher and uMhlali farmer Carla Wise has certainly introduced something special to the breakfast table. Granola may not be a new food, but her brand, Stonelodge (named after their farm), is loaded with seriously crunchy farm fresh nuts and proving to be a winner, judging by some of the enthusiastic comments on Stonelodge’s Facebook page.
Carla’s food journey started just five months ago with her herb dressing. “I enjoy making foodie gifts and gave a bottle to some friends who encouraged us to market it. This was the birth of Stonelodge Whole Foods. Made with SA virgin olive oil and homegrown herbs from uMhlali valley, the dressing is light and flavourful and can be used as a dressing or a marinade.”
Next was the granola. There are two varieties: Nut and Seed – made from macadamias (from their farm), shaved almonds and coconuts, pecans, and omega seed mix combined with coconut oil and raw honey; and Goji Boost – fresh nuts, with added goji berries, oats and wheat germ.
“My passion for home cooking was fostered by my grandmother who lived on a farm in the Karoo,” remembers Carla. “I was taught how to live off the land. I loved making butter, pickling onions and baking bread.”
Carla had attractive wooden stands designed to display the products – the granola is packed (with the help of the couple’s two children) in stylish brown paper “window” bags. The good news is there are more wholesome products the pipeline. Watch this space. *
www.facebook.com/pages/Stonelodge