WEEK 50 IT'S NAKED NUTS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!

Hello hello, you wondrous beautiful people,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!

We did it, we made it, we created it, we're 1 year old this weekend!!

It was 1 year ago that we launched our bulk food van.

It was a tribute, it was a gift. 

My mum had unexpectedly lost her husband Paul in May last year and with her devastating loss it also brought the end to her business selling gourmet dry goods at her local markets on the Peninsula.

As we were trying to support mum, and reassemble her life we had this ready to go van brimming with delicious foods. We tried to sell quickly, there were no takers, so in a quick and sudden decision we thought we would give it a go-to turn the food van into a bulk food store that our community has been hoping and dreaming of. 

It was an intense 10 days of technical set up, pricing, finding suppliers, jars, registrations. Instead of time away, while the kids were at holiday camp, we worked from early morning into night. We started with 60 products, now we have over 300.

I sent a text to friends asking for their email details if there were interested, now we have over 200 members in our community shopping and receiving our emails. This is quite an achievement when there has been zero marketing and social media exposure. Just the good old fashioned word of mouth and direct contact over email, phone and face to face chats.

You guys were so understanding in the last year as life gave our family a few knocks and we needed to suspend business due to hospital visits where we happened to meet our Doctor who was also a local pistachio farmer and the time I suffered a  sprained ankle during 1st wave lockdown and home learning from naughty little puppies. Not only did we receive understanding and patience but also mass outpourings of love, support and assistance. We re so blessed every single week to be on the receiving end of such generosity and kindness. It is you guys that fortify us to keep moving forward, a great comfort with the state of the world at large.

To start a business in the last 12 months may have been an act of lunacy or maybe perfect synchronicity as the old destructive ways die and a more dynamic world is birthing with love and health for all livings beings and lands. Never before has there been such demand for local, ethical businesses. 

A tragedy gifted an opportunity, the opportunity inspired a plunge, the plunge had you guys catch us, Paul watched over and mum has loved being part of this new growth. 

Thank you Mum and Paul for this opportunity and gift.

Words cannot sum up the love and gratitude we feel for this whole co-creation. I just want to hug every single one of you, soon! 

I have been racking my brain trying to have a fitting gift, milestone, commemoration, and it turned out that the best way to serve was to complete the online store and stepping it all up a level for you all.

FILL GOOD BULK FOODS

Fill Good harking back to the feel-good vibes you guys share, the feel goodness our bodies enjoy with our health-filled foods, feel-good conscience with plastic-free packaging, feeling good with our affordability and sustainability all around. Feel good for ourselves, each other and our great mother. We are connected.

The most common feedback we received was for a mobile-friendly ordering system with a visual experience. I would like to take a moment to thank Michael for the spreadsheet over the last year, it was a magnificent and impressive Excel feat. You're a wizard Michale! And the warmest thanks to Jane who has woven her digital magic creating our stunning digital platforms. You are all class honey.

https://www.fillgood.com.au/

Newsletters will keep coming every Sunday, they are sexier too, don't you think? These will keep sharing our community news and store updates. My gosh, we have the most inspired plans to keep our magnificent range growing with all our locality has to offer.

Our process will be the same, order online, pick up from Don Valley, in plastic-free packaging. We will also keep attending our favorite local markets Friday at Ecoss and Saturday Healesville Organic Farmers Market, pickups are available from these locations also.

NEW PRODUCTS

ORGANIC MAPLE SYRUP

Organic Maple Syrup, yes, finally!!! 1 litre bottles, in glass, easy to splash around, a great price for $23.

No need to head down the line for this anymore!

ORGANIC BAKED BEANS

They're backkkk. Winter brekkie's, easy meals, yay for baked beans, we have missed you 🙂🙂

SORGHUM FLOUR

A customers request and I am incredibly impressed with this new flour, to quote google:

Sorghum is gluten-free and is a great alternative to gluten-containing grains. It is a nutritionally dense whole grain that gives a higher amount of protein, iron, and numerous other vitamins and minerals than the much-touted quinoa

It can be used as a 1:1 all-purpose flour substitute in just about any recipe, or blended with starches, other gluten-free flours and xanthan gum.

Sorghum flour can be used in porridge, pancakes, pizza bases, flatbreads and gluten-free loaves, cakes, muffins and puddings.

Here is a picture of the Sorghum grain before harvesting.

ORGANIC 100% BUCKWHEAT SOBA NOODLES

Organic 100% Buckwheat Soba Noodles. These noodles are like Hen's teeth to find, and in bulk, we should not even dream.  We have them! Silky 100% buckwheat Soba noodles gluten-free. Delicious in soups, stir-fries, salads also a pasta substitute

Preparation
1. Bring a pot of water to boil.
2. Once the water is boiling, slowly drop the noodles into the pot. Stir gently to immerse all noodles in water.
3. Bring the water back up to a gentle boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes. If the water starts to foam and boil over, add a ½ cup of cold water to bring the temperature back down. Taste a noodle for doneness.
4. Pour noodles into a colander, and reserve cooking water if desired. Return the noodles to the pot and fill with cold water. Wash the noodles a few times until the water runs clear. Serve them cold, added to a broth, or sautéed.

BIO DYNAMIC AUSTRALIAN DRIED APPLES

The description says it all, from Mock Orchards on the Peninsula. Dried apples a very sought after addition to our range

ORGANIC CAROB POWDER

Another customer request. A delicious cacao alternative. There are sooo many delicious recipes with a google search. Brownies, slices, coconut roughs, my word!! Yum and fun!!

RECIPES OF THE WEEK

Orange, Rosemary & Raisin Scones | Jessica Cox

Jaime Oliver, one of our hero's, noodle recipe. We re actually on a Jamie binge with the kids at the moment.  Don t be frightened of the ingredient ' mangetout' like I was, it's just a snow pea alternative. Hungover Noodles | Jamie Oliver