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Food Lovers Market

This was the first store I visited in Tokai. It is one of the original stores and had a nice balance of fruit and veg and groceries on offer. This store has been extended over the years.
This was the first store I visited in Tokai. It is one of the original stores and had a nice balance of fruit and veg and groceries on offer. This store has been extended over the years.
A big selection of grapes was on offer.
A big selection of grapes was on offer.
Water melons are prominent outside or just by the door of every store, this is a seasonal product and as the summer is almost over prices have been reduced.
Water melons are prominent outside or just by the door of every store, this is a seasonal product and as the summer is almost over prices have been reduced.
The stores have a nice market feel with big displays of loose fruit on offer.
The stores have a nice market feel with big displays of loose fruit on offer.
One of the first things you see inside very store is the bulk section. This section includes onions, butternut squash, potatoes.
One of the first things you see inside very store is the bulk section. This section includes onions, butternut squash, potatoes.
Avocados from ZZ2 one of the few brands in the fruit and veg section.
Avocados from ZZ2 one of the few brands in the fruit and veg section.
Easy peelers are becoming more and more popular.
Easy peelers are becoming more and more popular.
Some of the fruit is pre-packed instore.
Some of the fruit is pre-packed instore.
Bargain beets.
Bargain beets.
Pre-packed carrots with Bugs Bunny on the pack, this was the pre-pack with a popular character on it.
Pre-packed carrots with Bugs Bunny on the pack, this was the pre-pack with a popular character on it.
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There were plenty of sweet potatoes on offer.
There were plenty of sweet potatoes on offer.
Bagged mangoes as well as singles were available.
Bagged mangoes as well as singles were available.
Most of the fruit is has big open displays which adds to the market feel. Food Lovers Market also do quite a bit of advertising on TV.
Most of the fruit is has big open displays which adds to the market feel. Food Lovers Market also do quite a bit of advertising on TV.
In the bulk section, there are Combos of popular products on special offer.
In the bulk section, there are Combos of popular products on special offer.
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Some products are pre packed, but unbranded as this is done in-store.
Some products are pre packed, but unbranded as this is done in-store.
Loose mangoes 3 for 20 ZAR (1.50 Euro).
Loose mangoes 3 for 20 ZAR (1.50 Euro).
Big bags of ZZ2 tomatoes on special offer.
Big bags of ZZ2 tomatoes on special offer.
This display of vegetables was very colourful and eye catching.
This display of vegetables was very colourful and eye catching.
Fresh cut is also prepared in store, here below is veg ready to go on the BBQ.
Fresh cut is also prepared in store, here below is veg ready to go on the BBQ.
The supermarket uses damaged fruit and veg which not good for display in the fresh-cut range.
The supermarket uses damaged fruit and veg which not good for display in the fresh-cut range.
There was very good selection, John Billing, Manager at the Tokai store said this becoming a very important product.
There was very good selection, John Billing, Manager at the Tokai store said this becoming a very important product.
Baby Marrows are also pre-packed.
Baby Marrows are also pre-packed.
A huge selection of garlic products.
A huge selection of garlic products.
Baby gems packed in sixes.
Baby gems packed in sixes.
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Nice mixed veg packs.
Nice mixed veg packs.
Fresh shelled peas at almost 2 Euro a pack.
Fresh shelled peas at almost 2 Euro a pack.
Some stores had bigger selection of soft fruit than others.
Some stores had bigger selection of soft fruit than others.
Salad leaves, some mixed some singles.
Salad leaves, some mixed some singles.
Nice selection of herbs in packs to keep them damage.
Nice selection of herbs in packs to keep them damage.
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Stunning display of nibbles, dried fruit and nuts.
Stunning display of nibbles, dried fruit and nuts.
Also in the nibbles section was rice, coconut and seeds. This section brings in 145,000 ZAR per week (11,000 Euro) in this store.
Also in the nibbles section was rice, coconut and seeds. This section brings in 145,000 ZAR per week (11,000 Euro) in this store.
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The nibbles display was huge.
The nibbles display was huge.
...and of course the sweeties to add a bit of colour!
...and of course the sweeties to add a bit of colour!
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Early South African lemons.
Early South African lemons.
Throughout the store the displays were varied and colourful.
Throughout the store the displays were varied and colourful.
The value for money apples are all bagged and under the Tru-Cape brand.
The value for money apples are all bagged and under the Tru-Cape brand.
Each store had a nice varied selection of apples.
Each store had a nice varied selection of apples.
Don't worry eat supafruit!
Don't worry eat supafruit!
Top red apples 2 for 1.50 Euro.
Top red apples 2 for 1.50 Euro.
Royal Galas 75 cent a pack.
Royal Galas 75 cent a pack.
Pears were also on offer, less topfruit will be exported due a full European market.
Pears were also on offer, less topfruit will be exported due a full European market.
Grapefruit remains popular in South Africa.
Grapefruit remains popular in South Africa.
Easy peel satsumas bagged and on offer!
Easy peel satsumas bagged and on offer!
There very few domestic kiwis grown in South Africa, these ones are imported from Italy.
There very few domestic kiwis grown in South Africa, these ones are imported from Italy.
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The stores use the space very well with these smaller bins added on at the side of the main displays.
The stores use the space very well with these smaller bins added on at the side of the main displays.
Lovely big black plums alongside the persimmons.
Lovely big black plums alongside the persimmons.
Topfruit can also be hand selected.
Topfruit can also be hand selected.
Vito Polera, International Buyer for FVC and my guide for the day, with John Billing Manager of the Tokai store. Billing said people tend to shop 2-3 times a week.
Vito Polera, International Buyer for FVC and my guide for the day, with John Billing Manager of the Tokai store. Billing said people tend to shop 2-3 times a week.
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Bags of black grapes.
Bags of black grapes.
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Bananas, usually used as a loss-leader in a prominent spot by the entrance, are scarce at the moment. They are twice the normal price so the display is small.
Bananas, usually used as a loss-leader in a prominent spot by the entrance, are scarce at the moment. They are twice the normal price so the display is small.
The store had many specialised sections, here the seafood one.
The store had many specialised sections, here the seafood one.
An impressive olive oil tap with lots of different flavours to choose from.
An impressive olive oil tap with lots of different flavours to choose from.
Handy packs of fresh cut fruit to take home.
Handy packs of fresh cut fruit to take home.
If a whole watermelon is too much you can opt for pre-cut packs.
If a whole watermelon is too much you can opt for pre-cut packs.
You can also fill up your own water.
You can also fill up your own water.
Each store had pizza and bakery departments.
Each store had pizza and bakery departments.
Chocolate, beans as well an exclusive range from Waitrose.
Chocolate, beans as well an exclusive range from Waitrose.
A big selection of mixed salads.
A big selection of mixed salads.
You choose the ingredients for your smoothie.
You choose the ingredients for your smoothie.
... or a fruit salad already made.
... or a fruit salad already made.
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Most stores have a market cafe, Polera said they plan to make these entirely self service soon.
Most stores have a market cafe, Polera said they plan to make these entirely self service soon.
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The store has more than doubled in size since it was first opened.
The store has more than doubled in size since it was first opened.
The second store was in Kennelworth, it was the very first Food Lovers Market. This store is the biggest mover of fresh produce, situated in an area with a large Muslim population who tend to favour fresh products.
The second store was in Kennelworth, it was the very first Food Lovers Market. This store is the biggest mover of fresh produce, situated in an area with a large Muslim population who tend to favour fresh products.
Again as you enter the combo deal is one of the first things you see.
Again as you enter the combo deal is one of the first things you see.
This store seed to be a little less modern than the others, but had the biggest proportion of fresh produce to groceries.
This store seed to be a little less modern than the others, but had the biggest proportion of fresh produce to groceries.
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Different products were on offer in this store.
Different products were on offer in this store.
A mountain of loose avocados.
A mountain of loose avocados.
Bagged chillies on prominent display.
Bagged chillies on prominent display.
Lots of variety in the stonefruit on offer.
Lots of variety in the stonefruit on offer.
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Special offer everywhere you look.
Special offer everywhere you look.
Giant quince alongside the pomegranates.
Giant quince alongside the pomegranates.
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The selection of pre-cut was a bit smaller in this store.
The selection of pre-cut was a bit smaller in this store.
Loose veg was more the theme here.
Loose veg was more the theme here.
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really nice looking big cabbages.
really nice looking big cabbages.
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Beautiful Forelle pears 1.50 Euro per kilo.
Beautiful Forelle pears 1.50 Euro per kilo.
The traditional wooden barrels placed alongside the permanent display enhanced the market feel.
The traditional wooden barrels placed alongside the permanent display enhanced the market feel.
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Unlike in other countries curley kale is not so hot in South Africa. Although people are becoming very health concious.
Unlike in other countries curley kale is not so hot in South Africa. Although people are becoming very health concious.
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Parklands, Tableview nice bright, brand new store, had a real spacious up-market feel about it.
Parklands, Tableview nice bright, brand new store, had a real spacious up-market feel about it.
The watermelon were there to welcome you.
The watermelon were there to welcome you.
There seemed to be a bigger selection of softfruit here.
There seemed to be a bigger selection of softfruit here.
Bright pink papayas.
Bright pink papayas.
Although a a modern store there was still that well known market feel.
Although a a modern store there was still that well known market feel.
Patty pans a traditional BBQ vegetable.
Patty pans a traditional BBQ vegetable.
White or red cabbage? Here you get a bit of each.
White or red cabbage? Here you get a bit of each.
Broccoli or cauliflower?
Broccoli or cauliflower?
Nice big peeled onions.
Nice big peeled onions.
Just now there a lot stonefruit, but when the South African supply is done they switch over to the tropical fruit until the Spanish imports arrive in June/July.
Just now there a lot stonefruit, but when the South African supply is done they switch over to the tropical fruit until the Spanish imports arrive in June/July.
Shun Terloer with Valentino Ricciardi the Manager.
Shun Terloer with Valentino Ricciardi the Manager.
Tomatoes advertising their health properties.
Tomatoes advertising their health properties.
Just as in other stores this one had individual sections for the different products.
Just as in other stores this one had individual sections for the different products.
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Big bitcher section.
Big bitcher section.
You can fill up your own water to take home.
You can fill up your own water to take home.
Nice assortment of coffee beans.
Nice assortment of coffee beans.
Select your own olives.
Select your own olives.
This was the only store where you could visit the Honey Pot.
This was the only store where you could visit the Honey Pot.
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Huge selection of fresh bread.
Huge selection of fresh bread.
Great selection of fruit juices.
Great selection of fruit juices.
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Here there was biggest choice of softfruit.
Here there was biggest choice of softfruit.
Water flavoured just with fruit, looks fantastic.
Water flavoured just with fruit, looks fantastic.
Pack of mixed apples.
Pack of mixed apples.
More ready to eat salads.
More ready to eat salads.
The first store where I saw lychees.
The first store where I saw lychees.
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Madumbies a traditional starchy vegetable.
Madumbies a traditional starchy vegetable.
Locally grown Belgian chicory.
Locally grown Belgian chicory.
Exotic mushrooms.
Exotic mushrooms.
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For convenience you can buy just half a cabbage.
For convenience you can buy just half a cabbage.
Handy fresh cut veg for a stirfry.
Handy fresh cut veg for a stirfry.
Onions for pickling.
Onions for pickling.
New crop South African limes on offer.
New crop South African limes on offer.
Or you can buy them loose.
Or you can buy them loose.
Dimitri, manager at the Willowbridge store with Vito.
Dimitri, manager at the Willowbridge store with Vito.
Big display of garlic and ginger for hand selection.
Big display of garlic and ginger for hand selection.
A big range of pre-packed value apples.
A big range of pre-packed value apples.
A lot of the stores have a sushi bar, but according to Vito these will be taken away from the stores as they take up a lot of space and are as popular any more, in fact the sushi counter where you can select it and take it home is far more popular.
A lot of the stores have a sushi bar, but according to Vito these will be taken away from the stores as they take up a lot of space and are as popular any more, in fact the sushi counter where you can select it and take it home is far more popular.
The Willowbridge Centre store.
The Willowbridge Centre store.