Mzansi agripreneur Chantelle de Bruyn has made international headlines after her butternut coffee brand received the Luxlife Magazine Food and Drink Award, recognising it as the Most Unique Organic Food and Beverage Outlet for 2024.
This innovative Bloemfontein farmer and agripreneur is turning heads with her brand, Buttercup Farmhouse, winning over customers locally and internationally. From expanding into new markets and launching fresh products to representing the Southern African Development Community( SADC) region on global platforms, she continues to make her mark while operating in Gauteng and Free State.
Speaking exclusively to Food For Mzansi, De Bruyn reflected on her journey, sharing insights into the company’s expansion plans and highlighting milestone moments for Buttercup Farmhouse.
Patricia Tembo: Congrats on your incredible achievement! Can you share more about the international award you won and what it means for you and your work?
Chantelle de Bruyn: Receiving the Luxlife Magazine Food and Drink Award, is an incredible honour and a testament to the hard work, innovation, and passion that drive Buttercup Farmhouse. It affirms our belief that there is room in the market for unique, health-conscious products like our vegetable coffee.
This recognition not only boosts our brand visibility but also solidifies our commitment to creating sustainable, healthy alternatives that make a difference in people’s lives. It’s a reminder of why we started – to honour my grandfather’s journey and offer a product that promotes well-being.
Have you set your sights on the United Kingdom market yet?
Yes, expanding to international markets, including the UK, is definitely part of our growth strategy. We are currently working on establishing partnerships and exploring opportunities to introduce our products in Europe and beyond.
Our focus is to ensure that our coffee meets international standards. In the coming months, we aim to roll out new products, expand our production capacity, and continue our export journey.
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Looking back on 2024, what were the standout moments for Buttercup Farmhouse?
2024 has been a transformative year for Buttercup Farmhouse. Some key highlights include:
- Participating in the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, which opened doors to potential partnerships in the United States.
- Launching our new butternut coffee product, a proud addition to our vegetable coffee line.
- Securing assistance from Absa in the Free State with the help of Seda Free State, which enabled us to fullfil a large order for Food Lovers Market and export to Namibia, for starters.
- Representing the SADC region as part of the African Women in Food Fellowship and the Africa Union which has enabled the business to travel the world for great coffee exploits.
- Speaking at Lemo Fest [in Bloemfontein] and continuing to engage with local communities and entrepreneurs.
These milestones have been pivotal in shaping our growth and reinforcing our vision for the future.
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