Food Lover’s Market, South Africa’s leading fresh produce retailer, and FreshStop, this week launched the Goodness Gang in South Africa and Namibia, after a successful campaign in the Western Cape last year.

The Goodness Gang, a range of fruit and vegetable plushies consisting of eight characters, aims to educate and promote healthy eating amongst Grades RR-3 learners in a fun and interactive way. These characters are Olly Orange, Sally Strawberry, Benny Banana, Pumi Pea, Bongi Blueberry, Manny Mushroom, Betty Broccoli and Adam Apple.

According to Brian Coppin, CEO of Food Lover’s Market, “We had very positive feedback from shoppers in the Western Cape and we were delighted by their enthusiasm to collect the characters and teach their children about good nutrition. Based on the feedback and success at stores, we decided to launch the extended Goodness Gang familynationwide, as well as in Namibia - the campaign will run from 12 June to 12 November this year. The last day to redeem Goodness Gang plushies will be on 26 November 2017.”

To reinforce the message of healthy eating and nutrition, the Goodness Gang mascots will be visiting stores and schools over the next few months; and selected schools will be visited by the Goodness Gang puppet show. To find out more about the characters and activities in your area, visit the Goodness Gang microsite at https://foodloversmarket.co.za/goodness-gang/

The Goodness Gang characters are collected by customers spending a minimum of R50 in Food Lovers Market stores, which will earn shoppers one sticker. Stickers must be affixed to Goodness Gang collector cards, which will be available at branded stands in participating Food Lover’s Market stores nationwide.

A Goodness Gang plushie can be redeemed once the collector card has been filled with 70 stickers, but customers can also buy a character after collecting 30 stickers for only R59,99. Alternatively, the Goodness Gang characters can be bought outright at the full retail price of R199,99 each.

“Our aim is to encourage kids to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and the Goodness Gang campaign provided us with this opportunity when it ran in the Western Cape last year. It certainly added a fun and educational approach to fresh produce for kids and adults alike - that is why we’re looking forward to introducing the new Goodness Gang characters to all Food Lover’s Market shoppers in South Africa and Namibia,” adds Coppin.

Sister brand, FreshStop, the largest and fastest growing convenience retail brand in South Africa, will also be introducing their own range of Goodness Gang Mini characters at all FreshStop at Caltex stores countrywide on 12 June 2017. FreshStop at Caltex’s strategic focus has been to offer customers convenient high-quality food at great prices - this includes a range of healthy options which includes biltong, nuts, fruit, smoothies and freshly-made salads. A select few stores also offer freshly pressed juices and the ‘We ♥ Health’ grocery selection offers a myriad of healthy products for sale. According to Joe Boyle, Director at FreshStop, “The focus on providing customers with a healthy offering is very important to us. Health and sustainability has become even more important as ease, time and space efficient offerings blend with on-the-go lifestyles. We are pleased at how well the ‘We ♥ Health’ range is doing with customers".  

To collect Goodness Gang Minis, spend a minimum of R30 at any FreshStop at Caltex convenience stores to earn a sticker. The stickers simply needs to be affixed to the collector card and 50 stickers collected allows for one Goodness Gang Mini to be redeemed. Shoppers will also have the option of collecting 25 stickers and buying a Goodness Gang Mini at a reduced price of R29.99 or at the full retail price of R89.99. Goodness Gang Minis are available at FreshStop as of 12 June 2017.

The Food Lover’s Market and Freshstop Goodness Gang promotions are independent of each other and stickers cannot be shared between the two offers.