'Wellington In A Box' gifts launched

The Wellington In A Box artisan producers with director Kate Beecroft (holding box).

An innovative new business showcasing the best of Wellington's small artisan food producers was launched in Wellington on the weekend.

A Wellington In A Box gift is packed with hand-picked products, selected for their quality, sustainability and the way in which they encapsulate the Wellington story.

The producers whose products feature in Wellington In A Box have all made a commitment to reducing waste and their environmental impact.

Founder Kate Beecroft says the idea for the business came from thinking about the importance of artisan food producers in Wellington, a city renowned for its culinary prowess, and ways to get their message to a larger audience.

Through her business development role for All Good Organics and her study for a Masters degree in sustainable food systems, Beecroft identified an artisan food box as a simple way to raise the profile and market share of innovative businesses in inner Wellington.

"The artisans represented in this box literally work in a two kilometre radius of each other but a quick survey of the gift box market showed that no one was celebrating the amazing produce that is at our very fingertips."

Wellington In A Box is initially targeting corporate companies which buy gift boxes for clients and employees, but also has an online store.

In the box are; ParrotDog beer, Nikau Café Marmalade, August chocolates, Martin Bosley Herb Salts, Home Harvest herb seeds, Huffman's Hot Sauce, Peoples Coffee, Six Barrel Soda and Bees Blessing cordial.

Wellington In A Box gift set.

The launch is being sponsored by other artisan producers from around the country, including Broken Shed Vodka, Carrick Wines and Moana Park wines.

Beecroft says: "We're including a packet of rocket seeds for people to turn the gift into a herb planter box if they wish.

"Wellingtonians are very concerned with what they eat, and how they eat it - and I think that's a good thing. The aim of WIAB is to support local producers and get companies and people to buy the boxes as gifts and to share the love of good food."

The principles of artisan food production are grounded in sourcing ingredients of the highest quality and working with them sympathetically to ensure exceptional flavour shines through.

Beecroft says: "Wellington is a city where food is hugely important, and where people actively celebrate small producers. Wellington In A Box is another iteration of that culture, and we hope that Wellington businesses will also get on board by buying the boxes."

www.wellingtoninabox.co.nz