True to the motto 'From the local area, for the local area', the innovative marketing concept 'Grischberli' was created in the fall of 2021. Under the leadership of the young couple Jakob and Eva Zwingel, farm stores and owner-operated food retail outlets are now provided with high-quality chips made from their own raw ingredients. Thanks to successful marketing, the chips can now be found not only in Franconia, but throughout Bavaria and even beyond the state's borders.
Franconian chip potatoes fresh from the field.
"Jakob grew up on his parents' potato farm and has a passion for potatoes," says Eva Zwingel. The young farming couple has always wondered why there were no chips made from Franconian raw produce until now - in contrast to many other regions in Germany. Thus began the idea to produce mature chips from their own potatoes and to set up a corresponding marketing concept. "We produce the raw potatoes we need and deliver them to the manufacturer. We do the marketing ourselves, and we also developed the entire recipe and the marketing around it on our own," Zwingel said.
Eva Zwingel has already presented the 'Grischberli' at several trade fairs, such as expoSE 2022 (pictured), Fruchtwelt Bodensee and Consumenta in Nuremberg. One offers the respective buyer not only the chips, but also the associated advertising materials, such as brochures and product displays made from old wooden crates.
Marketing in Franconia and beyond
In October 2021, the time had come and the first test samples of the Franconian 'Grischberli' could actually be delivered. "Our chips are somewhat more expensive than the conventional brands, but the concept has been very well received. In the second step, we presented ourselves at some trade and consumer fairs, as we already had many customers in Franconia and were keen to find distributors beyond the regional borders. In the meantime, our chips are available throughout Bavaria, and we even have a sales outlet in Berlin," says Zwingel. The main customers for 'Grischberli' include farm stores, direct marketers and owner-operated food stores.
From the raw goods to the packaged product. The 'Grischberli' are kettle chips. That means they are baked in the kettle until crispy. "Accordingly, it was also important to us that the name sounds crispy."
Potato chips without additives
Available in 120g bags, the 'Grischberli' come in three varieties, namely paprika, potato salad and onion. The latter flavor, a mix of apple and onion, is available exclusively during the summer months. Zwingel says, "All product lines are made exclusively from our own chip potatoes and without any additives. That means even our paprika chips are not comparable in taste to conventional chips."
Creating awareness for regional food
The founding couple is now striving to roll out the successful concept further. Among other things, the development of regional gastronomy would come into question. "For us, it's all about bringing a piece of agriculture closer to the consumer. Nowadays, people don't even think of potatoes when they eat chips. We want to actively promote this awareness of the origin of regional products and the work that goes on behind them."
Images: Grischberli
Further information:
Eva Zwingel
Grischberli
Ronhofer Hauptstrasse 318
D-90765 Fürth
Phone: +49 (0) 151 / 20 21 10 55
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.grischberli.de