Fresh produce networking site proving a hit

Fresh produce networking site proving a hit with kiwis

Launched just over 2 months ago by 3 Christchurch friends, Locavore365 (a fresh produce exchange website) is proving to be a big hit with green-fingered kiwis.

Called locavore365.org (a “Locavore” is someone who eats local produce), the site allows users to buy, sell, swap or give-away fresh produce from their gardens.

The site uses geo-location mapping technology that allows the user to search a specified distance radius from their location.

It has become very popular with kiwis who have too much of one food item growing in their garden and are keen to sell or give it away to someone else.

One of the most popular items on the site is fruit, but a search from a central Christchurch address yields all sorts of produce including Mozzarella Cheese, Passionfruit plants, hydrangea flowers, chestnuts, olive oil and rhubarb.

“Not only do the members enjoy finding and swapping food items on the site” explains one of the founders, Simon O’Sullivan, “they also rave about the like-minded people they meet in the process. One member emailed us to say that not only did he get rid of some unwanted plums from his orchard, he also met 2 really nice people and received Apricot Jam and locally brewed beer in return.”

Since launching late last year, over 1000 people (mostly from New Zealand but also Australia, South Africa, USA and Europe) have joined the website.

ENDS