A Foodeez branch officially opened its doors in Hermanus on Thursday 27 August. Situated in Bergzicht Business Park, the branch was opened by three friends, Pieter-Simon Basson, Mias van der Westhuyzen and Matt Backwood-Murray. Basson is a practising attorney, Van der Westhuyzen a medical doctor and Murray the Financial Manager of the Foodeez Group. “We share a passion for small business enterprises in all of their forms, and have always wanted to open a business together,”
Basson pointed out. At the opening, on Wednesday 26 August, guests could experience first hand what the store has too offer. Basson explains Foodeez mainly provides non-perishable products, given they are packaged or sealed, and have a much longer shelf life than perishables. “The reason for this is our aim to educate the market on the difference between best before and expiry dates. Expiry applies to perishable products, because when something has expired it is off. One can often tell by the taste, texture and smell.
On the other hand, to be ‘best before’ is the manufacturer’s guideline that the nutritional integrity of the product is guaranteed up until that date.” Basson says the partners’ vision is very much aligned with that of the Foodeez Group. “On a personal level,” he said, “we want to make an impact on our local community by providing affordable food products in a time where households are cash-strapped and struggling to make ends meet. We want to get involved with local community projects and support local small businesses.”