Where are We Going and What are We Doing?
At Kerston Foods, we’ve been working tirelessly to make this peak season our most productive and efficient yet for our customers. From our highly skilled sales team to our customer-facing applications, we’ve made significant improvements, upgrades, and enhancements to better serve you.
We are excited to introduce our brand-new mobile app and web platform for online orders. This new channel is just the beginning of a solution designed to meet all of our customers’ needs. With features like easy access to order history, quick reordering, streamlined checkout, and detailed product information—including images and descriptions—you can now be confident that what you see is exactly what you’ll get.
As a team, we believe this updated platform will help us connect and serve you more efficiently moving forward. This season, we’re ready to elevate your experience and take our service to the next level. We look forward to building stronger, long-term partnerships with you for years to come.
Carla Van Rooyen
Chief Operating Officer
Download and Try Our Mobile App Today!
We’re thrilled to announce that our new mobile app is now available for download! Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, you can experience the convenience of placing your orders anytime, anywhere.
Don’t miss out on features like quick reordering, detailed product descriptions, and seamless checkout—all designed to make your ordering experience effortless. Get started today and see how our app can simplify your day-to-day!
Supplier Highlight
Liberty
Kerston Foods is excited to celebrate its long-standing partnership with Liberty, one of South Africa’s most trusted food and consumer goods suppliers. For over 15 years, Liberty has been a vital partner, known for consistently delivering top-tier products and dependable service. This relationship perfectly aligns with Kerston Foods’ commitment to providing exceptional value to its customers.
At the heart of Kerston Foods’ success is the strong collaboration with suppliers like Liberty. Together, they ensure the highest standards of quality and safety are always met. This partnership has been a cornerstone of excellence, and Kerston Foods looks forward to many more years of shared growth and success.
Read on as a manager from Liberty shares their experience working with Kerston Foods over the years:
“As one of Kerston Foods valued supplier, we have seen significant growth in our partnership over the years which is mutually beneficial.
In my opinion, what sets Kerston Foods apart from others is the Brand loyalty and mutual trust in our partnership, and as Liberty we are looking forward to being part of upcoming collabs or projects with Kerston Foods.
The growth of Kerston Foods and longevity has played a big role in consistent which allows us to always have a sustainable plan and proactively secure supply. In the coming years with our partnership, I see more collaboration and continuous growth.”
Serena Risotto and Couscous
Liberty Foods has proudly served the market for over 20 years. While the majority of our portfolio is imported, we also collaborate with trusted local suppliers to deliver the best possible products. Although we don’t manufacture foods ourselves, we operate state-of-the-art packing facilities where we repackage bulk imports and locally sourced items and prepare our foils and wraps.
As a leading FMCG brand, Liberty Foods provides comprehensive route-to-market solutions across South Africa and other African countries. Our customers are at the heart of our business, and we’re committed to building strong, strategic partnerships that ensure we meet their evolving needs. Our team’s strength lies in their accountability to one another, to our customers, to suppliers, and to the communities where we operate.
Among our standout offerings are our Couscous and Risotto products, crafted with meticulous attention to quality and authenticity. These products are versatile, nutritious additions that elevate any meal, delivering an exceptional dining experience every time.
Customer Insights
Tokara Delicatessen
Imagine an enchanting, family-friendly space nestled between olive groves and vineyards with breathtaking views of the iconic Simonsberg—this is Tokara Delicatessen. It’s a destination where guests can browse gourmet ingredients and indulge in the finest delicatessen offerings.
To ensure a seamless shopping experience, Tokara Delicatessen offers an inviting outdoor play area that’s sure to capture the attention of little ones. From an impressive jungle gym to spacious grounds for running, and the occasional colourful peacock, there’s plenty to engage and entertain children, allowing adults to relax and enjoy their visit while keeping an eye on the fun.
Tokara Delicatessen is pleased to share their inspiring story of our collaboration, as narrated by their head chef, Stephanie:
At Tokara Delicatessen we have been working with Kerston Foods for almost 10 years.
A memorable experience that highlights what I appreciate most about working with Kerston Foods. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with their incredible sales representatives and telesales team, who always bring a friendly, supportive attitude. They truly go the extra mile to assist me, especially during those critical moments when I need it most.
As a customer, I’ve noticed that Kerston Foods consistently offers new products, and I appreciate that the sales team always goes the extra mile to accommodate requests. They make a genuine effort to source new products based on customer needs, which has been incredibly valuable.
Since I first began ordering from Kerston Foods as a junior chef, I’ve continued to rely on them as my trusted supplier. I’m happy to say that now, as a head chef, I still use Kerston Foods and appreciate their ongoing support throughout my journey in the kitchen
I am most excited about the future of our partnership because I truly appreciate how they always strive to keep their customers happy while being fair on prices. It’s also reassuring to know that they are willing to consider your specific needs and source products for you, even if they are not part of your product list. This level of commitment gives me confidence in our ongoing collaboration.
Staff Insights
Donovan Ramsay
We are pleased to introduce Donovan Ramsay, a highly respected member of our procurement team here at Kerston Foods. With over 20 years of dedicated service, Donovan has continually showcased exceptional skill and commitment to excellence in his role. His steadfast dedication has earned him deep respect and admiration from our suppliers. We are truly honoured to have Donovan as part of our team, and he looks forward to sharing more about his journey with Kerston Foods.
As I have been with Kerton Foods from the very beginning, I have gained valuable insights across various departments as the company has evolved and grown.
Our primary focus has always been on meeting and exceeding customer expectations. By prioritising our clients’ needs, we’ve fuelled our growth and established a solid reputation.
Our culture centres around client satisfaction. We believe that a happy customer is a returning customer. Our goal is to add meaningful value through our services and products, positioning ourselves not just as a supplier but as an integral partner in our clients’ businesses.
We recognise the growing challenges in our industry being the fragile supply chains which is affected by logistical issues and natural disruptions. Drawing on our years of experience, we proactively anticipate these challenges and adapt to minimise their impact on our clients.
We strive to be more than just a supplier; we aim to be a valuable partner in our customers’ growth and success.
“As I have been with Kerton Foods from the very beginning, I have gained valuable insights across various departments as the company has evolved and grown.
Our primary focus has always been on meeting and exceeding customer expectations. By prioritising our clients’ needs, we have fuelled our growth and established a solid reputation.
At Kerton Foods, our culture centres around client satisfaction. We believe that a happy customer is a returning customer. Our goal is to add meaningful value through our services and products, positioning ourselves not just as a supplier, but as an integral partner in our clients’ businesses.
We recognise the growing challenges in our industry being the fragile supply chains which is affected by logistical issues and natural disruptions. Drawing on our years of experience, we proactively anticipate these challenges and adapt to minimise their impact on our clients.
Kerton Foods strives to be more than just a supplier; we aim to be a valuable partner in our customers’ growth and success.”
Upcoming Impact Initiative
Financial Wellness
Our focus for last month was Financial Wellness which is essential for empowering staff to achieve financial stability and improve their quality of life.
Achieving financial wellness means you’re not constantly stressed about money. Instead, you have a clear understanding and a sound plan for managing it.
We spoke to staff about things like creating and sticking to a budget, how to prioritise essential expenses, avoid high-interest debt and ensuring that one lives within their means.
Identifying “needs” versus “wants”.
In addition to day-to-day management, financial wellness encompasses long-term planning and goal setting. This includes building an emergency fund, saving for retirement, and planning for major life events like buying a home or funding education.
We believe that by promoting financial wellness it can lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity. When employees feel secure in their financial situation, they are more likely to be engaged and focused on work.
Kathy