At Bendigo FM

Fit young woman on a bike hops off, inspects the nutrition panel on the bags.
FYW: What’s the difference between the two? (referring to PM Berries & PM Citrus & Ginger)
Me: One is gluten-free with amaranth puffs and the other is wheat-free with organic oats. (I hand her sample of each)
FYW: Ooooh that is so good! I eat a lot of beetroot before cycling.
Me: Great! That’s the sport that a scientific research has determined the positive effects of beetroot in increasing stamina.
FYW: Yes, I’ve read it. I am competing tomorrow.
Me: Wow, then knock yourself out with these two!
FYW: I will (buys a large bag of each variety). Thanks, I’ll enjoy this!

She’s in the pink!

At Clunes FM

Two nicely dressed young women stop to look at the pink.
Me: Have a taste of the pink stuff?
NDYW1: Oooh yes please! (NDYW2 looks wary but takes a spoon anyway)
NDYW2: Ummm yum! (they taste all three varieties) What is it?
Me: It’s beetroot muesli. The pink is from the natural juices of the beetroot. Not a gimmick.
NDYW2 (gets a flyer, reads through the list of products) Ooh dark cacao puffs with strawberries! I’ll have that one!
Me: That’s not till next year.
NDYW2: I don’t care, I’ll wait.
NDYW1: We’ll think about it (they walk off with the flyer)
They come back later.
Me: Hey, you’re back!
NDYW1: Yes, we’d like a big bag of the caramel crunch and a small bag of the ginger please.
(I hand them their purchase.)
NDYW2: You know, I don’t even like beetroot, in fact, I HATE beetroot. No, I DETEST it. When I see it in a restaurant, I avoid it like the plague! Also, I don’t even eat muesli! But look what you got me to do! (we all share lolz)
Me: Wow how wonderful! Thank you for sharing that! Good on you for having an open mind! Thank you so much. Enjoy!
Chorus: We will.

I am stunned but ecstatic.

At Bendigo FM

Mum & teen daughter approach the stall for a taste of PM.

Chorus: Ummm that’s really good! Amazing!
Mum ((turns to daughter): Which one do you like best?
TD: Hard to decide.
Mum: We read about this in the newsletter online and she wanted to come here for this.

Me: Oh wow thank you so much! I must commend the organizers for a good job! (big smile)

Mum: Well we’ll take a big bag of the Berries and a small one of the Citrus & Ginger.
Me: Thank you! Here you go. Enjoy!
Chorus: We will!

I love happy customers! I am doing an invisible dance.

At Coburg FM:

A young couple strolls through the market inspecting the produce, sometimes stopping to inquire or to purchase. They are attracted by the pink, comes closer.
Me: Hello, would you like to have a taste?
YC1: No thanks, I can’t eat gluten. (they continue their slow stroll)
Me: This IS gluten-free. (they stop in their tracks while I hand them both a sample)
YC1: Oh wow! I didn’t expect that! What is that tiny thing there?
Me: That’s the gluten-free seed called amaranth which has grain-like properties. It is a beautiful purplish plant that is revered in ancient poetry for longevity.
YC2: Nice! We’ll take a small bag please.
Me: Thank you! Come back next month for my new GF product called Coconut Caramel Crunch with Almonds.
YC1: Oh, I can’t eat nuts.
YC2: I’ll eat it!

They walk away with their new-found GF goodie.

From Online Store:

“My husband and I are return customers. We originally purchased your pink muesli at the Clunes Farmers Market, I purchased 2 bags at the last market but we have run out before the next market so I decided to order online. We haven’t had any of your delicious muesli for over a week now and we are both desperate for it to arrive so we can go back to having it for breakfast. My husband was not impressed that I was eating “his” muesli as he put it lol. We look forward to sampling your new product, as we love your pink muesli.” (Kodie, Ararat)

Aww, warms my heart

At Daylesford FM

A well-dressed mature-age woman comes up to the stall.
WDMAW: There you are! I saw your post in the community grapevine. How do you make it so pink?
Me: I don’t. That’s the natural colour of beetroot and beetroot stains everything.(I point out the different ingredients)
WDMAW: Amazing!
Me: Here, have a taste. (I hand her a spoonful)
WDMAW: Umm. UMMM. Oh wow you can really taste the beetroot! That is incredible. It’s not too sweet, I love it! I’ll take a bag.
Me: Thank you!
WDMAW: No, thank YOU!

Happiness….

At Coburg FM

A family of 3 young women and a 2 y.o. boy came up to the stall.
YW1: Ooohhh so pretty! Let’s have a taste.
(I hand each of them a spoon of PM with Berries)
YW2 shares hers with her son whom she’s carrying.
YW3: Did you like that? (asks the boy)
Boy: Yum! (nods head)
Me: Taste the other one too (hands them PM with Citrus & Ginger)
YW2 again shares hers with her son
Me: Oh wow, can he tolerate ginger?
YW2: Oh yes, he loves ginger. (Boy munches away and nods, eyes widening.)
Me: Well kudos to you Mum, your son has a sophisticated palate. YW1: Yes, he tries everything!
YW3: Which one did you like best, possum?
Boy: That one (points to PM with Citrus & Ginger)
YW3: We’ll take a big bag please.
Me: Thank you so much! (I hand them the bag and I give the boy a flyer. Family walks off.) Boy: Bye bye (waves at me with the flyer.)

Big smile

From Viva la Dulce Food & Wine Festival

Lady approaches stall, looks closely at the products.
Me: Have a taste of beetroot muesli?
Lady: Naah, I don’t like beetroot.
Me: Have a taste anyway, it might surprise you. (I hand her a tasting spoon of PM with Berries) Lady: Oh! I didn’t expect that! Ummmm.
(I hand her a second spoon, PM with Citrus & Ginger)
Lady: Oh wow! That’s amazing.
Me: That’s the way! You just gotta give it a go.
Lady: I’ll have one of each please.
Me: OH! Thank you! (my turn to be surprised)
Lady: No, thank YOU. (walks off, showing her purchase to her family who just joined her) Another happy customer.

At Coburg Farmers’ Market

Young Mum and her 3 little girls (3,4,5 y.o.) approach the stall with big wondrous smiles on their faces. The littlest one is wearing a pink jumper. She is as tall as my sampling table.
Me: Well, hello girls have you come to taste the Pink Muesli?
LO: My favorite colour is pink!
Me: I can see that, very pretty! Here hold out your hand (I tip some PM into their open palms, Mum included.)
Chorus: Ummmmmmmm, yummy! (LO saves pink flakes in her hand)
Mum: Do you like it?
Chorus: YESSSSS (nods while chewing PM)
Mum: Ok, let me get a big bag.
Me: Fantastic! Thank you! Have it with milk and the milk will turn pink, promise. (Chorus gleefully giggles)
Mum: Really? They’d love that.

And my pink movement continues……..

Note: PM has been going to the Clunes Farmers Market since it started in April 2015 so have developed a loyal following over the months. This is one of the many heartwarming stories from there. Scenario: A family of 3 were having some taste samplers of PM, when a young vivacious Mum, wearing groovy blue-framed heart-shaped sunglasses, rushes to the stall.

YVM: A.MA.ZING. I luuuuuvvvvv your product!!!!!
Me: (happy laugh) Oh, so glad you do! I luvvv your sunnies!
YVM: Why thank you I just got it from the op shop next door. Your PM is so yummy! I’ve come back to get a big bag this time.
Me: That’s great! Here you go.
YVM: I’ve told everyone about it. (Turns to the family) It’s really good! (makes a thumbs up sign then walks off).
Family of 3: We’ll take a bag too please.
Me: Thank you! (my heart is singing)

I love happy customers!