We spoke with new FBA members, Amanda and Charlie at Veggie Box, to learn more about the family business and the incredible work they do working with charities and community food banks.
What makes your family business unique?
We have a very heavy focus on making fresh fruit and vegetables accessible to everyone. It's not right that food that is fundamental to our children's development is unnecessarily expensive. So we put all of our energy into making it more affordable for everyone - and that means we donate a lot to community food banks around the North Shore in Auckland (which are local to us), and we've just started working with Give a Kid a Blanket, supporting them with donations of fresh produce weekly to make sure those who can't afford fresh fruits and vegetables still get them.
How many generations are currently in your family business?
Just one generation so far! Amanda and Charlie are a wife and husband duo attempting to break the endless cycle of expensive and poor-quality fruit and vegetables. Louella (4) and Jasper (2) enjoy helping by folding up boxes and ensuring that the work gets done.
What do you value about FBA?
We are new members and are excited about the chance to learn more about the challenges family businesses face and how to meet them. We're particularly excited to see how other businesses work, so we can adopt learnings from others.
What piece of advice would you offer another family business?
It can be quite easy to fall into the trap of family time becoming business time, because the lines between the two are blurred. It's important to ensure that you're able to switch off from the family business, and just be present for the family you have at home.
Support family business.
