At Woodend FM

A couple, arms laden with goodies from the other stalls, came up to the pink stall with an incredulous look on their faces.

Gentleman: Beetroot! This I gotta see.

Lady: Is that what makes the pink?

Me: Right you are! Would you like a taste?

Chorus: Yes, please!

I proceeded to hand them a taste of each flavour explaining the ingredients and the process of making them. After each tasting the gentleman described the taste and texture so beautifully I was, in fact, mesmerised by his words. I’m afraid I could not remember them here but suffice it to say, he sounded like a food critic or food blogger. A foodie for sure!

Gentleman: This is delicious, amazing. Very good quality. (he said while savoring the last flavour, Dark Cacao) Oh wow! The cacao hits you right at the end! Ummmm

Lady: This is fantastic, just what we’re looking for! (she said elatedly)

Me: Thank you! We put a lot of love into each one!

Lady: Yes, that is clear. We’re chefs and we’re about to offer breakfast in our restaurant and we need something to go with panna cotta, yes it’s a thing now—panna cotta for breakfast— to make it more exciting.

Me: Yes! Just like this! (I went around to join them in front to show them the panna cotta topped with PM in the display banner)

Chorus: Exactly!

Me: Yes, it does go very well with panna cotta. Also with porridge, custard, desserts, salads…the possibilities are endless! (we share happy lolz)

Lady: Yay! What an incredible find, so happy we came here today. Well then we have to choose now. (they discuss between themselves) I reckon the first one, Berries, would be the best on panna cotta. And I love the Dark Cacao. Question, what is the largest size you sell?

Me: We do have one kilo bags online. But you can order ahead and we can bring it to the market for you if you like.

Lady: Excellent! We’ll take the Berries for now and the Cacao and we’ll check you out online too!

Me: Beautiful! Thank you so much!

Chorus: No, thank you! This was an amazing find!

Chefs are in the pink!

At Talbot Farmers Market

Meet Helen,  she is the venerable owner of the bookshop in front of which my pop-up stall is parked every third Saturday of the month. She first came for a sticky-beak many months ago curious as to what on earth was this bright pinkness right outside her shop! She has since become a loyal regular opting for her favorite “Citrus & Ginger” each time.

Helen: You know some people say your product is so expensive.

Me: It is premium-priced with the highest quality ingredients.

Helen: Yes, and you can taste it too and I love it! I tell those people you don’t need a lot to make your food taste so much better. I just sprinkle a little bit on my porridge every morning and it’s enough to transform my brekkie from ordinary to extraordinary. It actually becomes very economical, a big bag lasts a very long time! A little goes a long way, good value!

Me: You should try in on salads, it will take it up a notch!

Helen: I like that idea! Yes, you should teach people how to eat it. So yummy!

Me: Maybe try another flavour too?

Helen: Oh ok, let’s try the Cinnamon. I love the colours!

Me: Thanks Helen! See you next time!

Helen’s in the pink?

Regulars come in all ages and have become quite loyal, yay! They really are my best brand ambassadors.

This is Jo. She has got to be one of my very first customers who learned of PINK MUESLI from my home store over two years ago, and have been a regular at Woodend Farmer’s Market. She’s always bought the original with Berries and have only just recently tried another flavour. She tells all her friends about it too. Thanks Jo, you make my heart sing?

Jo is so in the pink?

At Woodend FM

This scenario happens often and makes me giggle each time. Wife or husband (usually the husband) tastes the product and decides to buy a single serve bag, only to come back later with the “boss” who orders an upsize lol! —-as what happened to Chris and Dan of Sydney who were visiting friends in Woodend one fine autumn day.

Me: Hi, you’re back!

Dan: Yes! Could we return this and get the large bag instead? (with a sheepish look) Boss here says the small one won’t do! (we share lolz)

Chris: We don’t have this in Sydney so we might as well go up a size!

Me: Good call! (with a wink) I do sell online and I send anywhere in Australia.

Chorus: Oh good! We have your details and will certainly do that when we get back home!

Me: Thank you so much! And yes, please help spread the pink goodness in Sydney!

Happy couple in the pink?

At Castlemaine FM

A small group of young women came over to investigate what Pink Muesli was all about. They each got a small bag of their choice and went merrily on their way to explore the lively market. Near closing time, one of them came hurrying back.

YW: Hi, I was here earlier with my friends and I got a small bag of the coconut crunch. I loved it! I’m back to get a large bag please.

Me: That’s fantastic! So glad you love it! Here you go (handing her a large bag).

YW: It is so delicious, love the crunch, great product thanks!

Me: No, thank YOU for your support!

Another coconut convert in the pink?

At Bendigo FM

At Bendigo, locals like to shop early, even before official opening hour. That is why many stallholders, including myself try to be all set up early. A handful of customers have come to buy PM early including a nicely dressed young woman who was on her way to work.

Me: Hi, have you had this before?

YL: No but my boss sent me. She said I should get the beetroot one.

Me: They are all made with beetroot. (I go through the list of all six varieties to which she looked more confused)

YL: Oh gee, I don’t know. Do you have the one kilo bags?

Me: Yes, I do, but that’s only on order. If you order now, I can bring it next market day. I have a market special that might interest you, all six flavours, one is free (I point to the bright pink box)

YL: Oh yes, that would do! I’ll take one for me please. And I’ll tell my boss you’re here!

Me: Wonderful! Thank you so much!

A while later, her boss Tania came herself.

Tania: I sent my staff over earlier and she came back to report that yes, you were here!

Me: That’s great!

Tania: I’ll take a large bag of my favorite Cinnamon and one of the Pear & Pistachio and 2 of these market specials. And I’d like to order the one kilo bag of the Cinnamon, I’ll have it picked up next month.

Me: No problem! (I took down her details, asked for a pic which she happily agrees to)

Tania:  I love it, I tell everyone at work about it. They should all get Pink Muesli!

Me: Thank you so much Tania, you will be my next Pink Tale! (we share lolz)

Tania obliges with a big happy smile toting her pink bag full of pink goodness.

Tania is so in the pink?

At Castlemaine FM

It was closing time and I was already packing up when an diminutive lady came up to check out the pink.

Lady: So what have you got?

Me: It’s beetroot muesli, the only one of its kind in the world!

Lady: Wow beetroot, they look so pretty too! And this is what’s in it? (looking at the ingredients list)

Me: Yes, they all have over 40% raw organic beetroot, here have a taste. (I hand her a sample)

Lady: Oh that’s nice! Can I have a taste of the Pear & Pistachio please?

Me: Of course, here you go. It’s made from 2 kinds of beetroot, the red and golden. The golden when dehydrated becomes green giving the muesli a Christmas effect.

Lady: That is delicious! And they come in these bags?

Me: Yes, in single serve bags for $5 and large 7 serve bags for $25. I also have a market special, all 6 flavours for only $25, so you get one free.

Lady: Ok, I’ll take 2 of those then. (I hand her 2 packs) No wait, I better get one for each of my children for their Christmas hamper. Make that 6 please. (I handed her 4 more) Oh I must get one for myself too. (I had one pack left)

Me: You might as well get the last one, I’m sure you can think of someone else to give that too. (we share lolz)

Lady: Oh alright, give me the last one too (I happily put her purchase in large pretty pink bags).

Me: But wait there’s more! Since you’re my best customer today, I have some freebies for you. (I hand her PM pens)

Lady: Thank you so much! This is better than giving them junk food.

Me: Yes! And thank YOU so much, you’ve just made my day!

What a fabulous forward planner she is! We are both in the pink ?

At Woodend FM

“Pink Muesli??” I could hear children’s voices coming towards me from behind. I had my PM banner facing the street behind me so they must have been intrigued and had to check. Three young boys maybe aged 7-10 came rushing to see the products. Mum huffing behind them.

Oldest boy: It really is pink! (they all gawk in wonder at the psychedelic pinkness)

Me: Yes! Would you like a taste?

Mum: What’s in it? Why is it pink?

Me: Beetroot makes it pink. It’s over 40%. (I hand them all a taste) Plus all these good stuff. (I point to the ingredients list in front of them.)

Mum: Oh wow that’s delicious!

Middle boy: Can I have a taste of this? (pointing to PM Coconut Caramel Crunch with Almonds)

Mum: Say please.

All 3 boys: Please.

Me: Yes, of course. (I hand them samples) Here you go. Would you like some too Mum?

Mum: Oh yes, please.

Boys: Yummmmmmmmmm

Mum: Would you eat it for breakfast if I buy it? (boys nod excitedly)

Me: If you have it with milk, milk turns pink! (boys’ eyes widen in amazed anticipation) you can also just snack on it for a very healthy snack.

Mum: That’s great! We’ll have a large bag of that one please.

Me: Thank you so much! And if you like that, come back next month to try another flavour.

Boys: Yesssssss!!

Boys are in the pink?

At Melbourne Show, MasterChef Winning Tastes Pavillon

“Pink Muesli??!! What’s that??” The oft-repeated phrase everywhere lol! You could see the steady steam of people mouthing these words as they enter the MasterChef Winning Tastes Pavillon at the Melbourne Show. I was fortunate enough to be invited to share the space with the country’s most awesome award-winning gourmet food producers. I could only do two days and the experience was exhilirating! Being stationed right at the entrance to greet the masses, my very able assistant (my son) and I witnessed most everyone gape in awe and incredulity at the giant stopwatch and Masterchef logo gleaming behind us up above, as if to bestow its magical aura upon all those who enter the MasterChef kitchen. Works for me ha! It’s a fabulous way to introduce this unique product to a larger audience. Here’s a typical scenario after they step into the threshold and take their selfies.

Would-be-customer: Are we really in the MasterChef kitchen or is this a mock-up?

Me: Yes indeed, you are in the actual MasterChef kitchen. (I point to the galley above where the cooks are cheered on by their peers. They are giddy with excitement) Would you like to try the pink stuff?

WBC: What’s in it? What makes it pink?

Me: Beetroot. Here have a taste (I hand them a sample. They usually examine the pinkness, smell then finally taste. It’s a real sensory experience!)

WBC: Oh yum! So you have it with milk or yogurt? Like a regular muesli?

Me: Yes, except that this is not a regular muesli. It is the only vegetable muesli in the country. Plus, it is more than a muesli, you can sprinkle it over your salads and desserts and make it look MasterCheffy! (I direct their attention to the photo display at the front of the cart)

WBC: Oooh, what a great idea! I’ll take one please.

This scene was repeated several times throughout the day that our voices were hardly working anymore by late arvo lol! But it’s all worth it. Pink Muesli was well received yay! And that is how the pinkness got introduced at the Show.

Melbourne gets in the pink?