Kiwis' home-grown eating habits exposed by Paper Plus
Wednesday 5 September 2012, 2:53PM
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Aucklanders aren’t eating their home-grown veges, says a survey of Kiwi vege patches.
5.6% of Aucklanders admit they never eat produce grown at their place of residence, compared to 4.3% of Wellingtonians or 0.9% of Nelsonites.
At the other end of the scale, 28.7% of people in Marlborough say they eat something home-grown every day, closely followed by Northland (28.2%) and Nelson (26.9%).
To celebrate the launch of Annabel Langbein’s latest cookbook, Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures Paper Plus conducted research into New Zealanders’ behaviours and attitudes towards home-grown produce and asked what their number one simple pleasure would be.
According to the study, almost 80% of all respondents throughout New Zealand eat home-grown produce at least once a month or more. For those who never ate home grown produce the main reason was they didn’t have a garden, and more than 20% stated that it was due to a lack of time.
Now, with the launch of the long-awaited cookbook titled Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures, New Zealanders can draw inspiration and educate themselves about the benefits of eating healthy, home-grown foods.
The cookbook will be available exclusively at all Paper Plus stores from the 8th to 22nd September, two weeks before any other retailer.
The 13-week TV series that accompanies the new book will screen in primetime on TV One, starting in late September.
Annabel Langbein says that in today’s increasingly complicated world, there is a tendency for people to overlook the benefits of eating simple, whole foods that are home-grown.
“Nothing beats the feeling of slicing into a ripe tomato straight from your garden, or chopping up an aromatic stem of rosemary. These are the simple pleasures we build our lives around, and in my new book, I aim to share the joys of simple living with New Zealanders.”
“A simple pleasure means something different to everyone, yet something as small as sharing a meal around the dining table has the power to bring us all together and gives a sense of belonging,” adds Annabel.
The research showed that more than half of respondents do not sit around the table every day to eat as a family and 42.1% use pre-prepared ingredients such as pre-chopped, frozen or canned vegetables as opposed to using fresh produce.
Paper Plus Marketing Manager, Lyle Hastings says that Annabel’s latest book highlights the small ways in which we can change these habits and increase our knowledge around eating fresh, home-grown produce.
“Annabel has a fantastic way of making something so simple, look and taste amazing and her book means that readers will have no trouble doing the same at home with friends and family. Our customers are keen followers of Annabel’s books and of her journey as The Free Range Cook so we are very excited to be able to offer the book exclusively at Paper Plus stores from 8 to 22 September. ”
Paper Plus also asked respondents what their number one simple pleasure would be. ‘A novel you get lost in’ came out tops followed by ‘Random Acts of Kindness’, ‘A perfect cup of hot coffee in the morning’ and ‘fresh flowers’.
Other key statistics from the research include:
- 47.2% sit around the dining table everyday to eat a meal as a family
- 38.7% think the main advantage of growing produce at home is that it tastes better
- Auckland was closely followed by Taranaki with the highest number of respondents stating they never eat home grown produce.
- Nelson residents consider family meals at the table to be a very important part of their day (52.5% of respondents said they sat at the table with family every day).
Book launch for Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures
Date: Monday 10th September, 6.30pm
Location: Lower NZI Room, Aotea Centre
Notes to the Editor:
About Paper Plus
The Paper Plus Group began 28 years ago and is one of New Zealand’s largest stationery and book sellers. The Group incorporates three separate retail brands: Paper Plus, which has 106 stores; Take Note with 48 stores; and Office Spot with two stores, all offering a great range of stationery, books, magazines, cards and gifts to New Zealand consumers. There is a Paper Plus store in most towns from Kaitaia to Invercargill. It is the only New Zealand book and stationery retailer with Fly Buys.
About Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures
On sale exclusively at Paper Plus from 8th September until 22nd September 2012. RRP $59.95. 320pp, hard cover, 216x253mm portrait (same size as Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook)
About Annabel Langbein
Annabel Langbein is New Zealand’s leading celebrity cook, food writer and publisher, and the star of her own international television series, Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook.
The second season of her TV show launches in primetime on TV One during September.
With 19 cookbooks under her belt, Annabel has earned a passionate following for her uncomplicated recipes that transform inexpensive, everyday ingredients into meals with the wow factor. She draws on a global palette of flavours and her trademark Fridge Fixings to create dishes that are big on flavour while, with a few indulgent exceptions, light on fat and sugar.
Annabel’s books have won numerous international awards, been translated into multiple languages and sold close to two million copies throughout Europe, North America and Australasia.
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