Fans of the real fruit ice creams served from the colourful Be Fruitful mobile caravan now have many more places to buy one following new retail partnerships.

Mark and Louisa Castledine’s ice cream business opened last year and with the border closed again they said sales are slower than normal, as they imagined it would be for a lot of places.

“However, remaining open and continuing to serve our loyal locals is paramount to us; they are the backbone and foundation that made our business what it is today,” said Louisa.

“We are fortunate to have partnered with Prime Foods and CITC to make this a reality, and even more grateful to our people who continue to support us every step of the way.”

Their real fruit ice creams will now be available on chiller shelves at Prime Foods, and every CITC outlet including Oasis, Kavera, KAPS, and Foodland. 

The couple said they were fortunate to be approached by their retail partners and said that when the conversation arose to take the step forward to see their ice creams selling at more places than just their ice cream truck, it was a “no brainer” and an opportunity they were really excited to expand into.

“Seeing our ice cream on supermarket shelves this early on is a blessing and a real testament to supporting local and buying local,” Louisa said.

The couple’s most recent venture in the form of their new tubbed ice cream, now on shelves at Prime Foods and all CITC stores and outlets. 21101514

Currently customers will find the favourite flavours including banana, soursop and strawberry on store shelves, but more will be included based on seasonality and availability.

She said that ever since they had started the business, they had always had a plan in mind for growth.

Louisa and Mark and their little family moved back to Rarotonga after living in New Zealand. She had worked there for 10 years for one of New Zealand’s largest food manufacturers and distributors, as well as being a national account manager for Route Retail responsible for ranging, promoting, and marketing their products onto a shelf.

Because of this she said it was a concept she was very familiar with and felt it only seemed natural to progress their own ice cream business into this area.

The best part for them of running their business so far has been the community that they have loved getting to know on a personal level.

“We have met, been inspired by and built lifelong relationships as a result of serving and swirling ice cream,” she said.

Louisa said nothing beats owning your own business in the Cook Islands, with the lifestyle being second to none.

“If you get the opportunity to live life on your own terms, being your own boss in the best backyard with the coolest whanau around, this is living.”

“We are only getting started with our business – the best is yet to come!” she said.