SEAN NUGENT

A MAC student’s startup fresh fruit and vege produce market has taken off, with plans to continue to grow in the future.

Freshlink (known as Central Citrus until a recent name change) offers a range of fresh fruit and vegetables out of The Shed on Reece Crescent. Although it only opened in July, the company has quickly established itself in Wanaka, with an estimated 250 to 300 regular customers.

The face behind Freshlink, 16-year-old Liam Kirk, says the best way to maintain steady growth is "getting more people to know we’re here.”

Kirk first came up with the idea as part of his NCEA Level 1 Business & Economics class, where students were asked to set up their own businesses. Under the name Central Citrus, Kirk sold mandarins across the road from the college, and while it was initially intended to be a short-term project, customers were so impressed they asked Kirk to continue running his business.

Since then, Freshlink has continued to grow, adding a wider variety of products and finding itself a new base on Reece Crescent. With no financial backing, the company really has built itself from the ground up, to a point where Kirk believes its competitive prices have influenced price drops at local supermarkets New World and Mediterranean Market.

Despite a prosperous start, Kirk is not resting on his laurels. He is planning to start selling fixed-price delivery boxes, similar to Nadia Lim’s My Food Bag, in the near future, and believes it will be a great way to continue growing the business.

Kirk has no certain plans on what he wants to do after leaving school, however he has not ruled out the possibility of studying business at university. In the meantime he is preparing himself for a busy summer, as he is finally able to work extended hours at Freshlink without school clogging up his schedule.

Those interested in supporting Kirk and his business can email him directly at [email protected] to become a member of Freshlink’s mailing list. Those on the list receive a weekly flyer with the latest range of products on offer at Freshlink.

PHOTO: Wanaka App