Paige Allen - Fruity Faces

publication date: Feb 29, 2008

When I gave up paid work to be a mother of 3 children I wanted to use my business skills to help childrens’ charities so did voluntary work for 7 years organising various fundraising events and promoting charities through schools.

Through my Christian faith I felt I was meant to embark on this journey even though I did not possess many of the required skills but I believed this fruityfaces idea given to me would MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE CHILDREN IN OUR WORLD by raising funds for childrens’ charities whilst also promoting childrens health which I am also concerned about.

Fruityfaces

Fruityfaces are fun inflatable cases to protect fruit in transportation. They work by creating an air cushion around the fruit when placed inside and inflated, and mould to accommodate different size fruits. We have created a multi round fruit fruityface for apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, satsumas and grapes, and a banana fruityface which can hold most size bananas.  This is a completely new idea that is simple yet unique and innovative.

The Idea

Fruityfaces idea came from unsuccessfully attempting to carry peaches and nectarines around in a plastic container to take out for my children for a snack without them getting bruised and bashed.  I looked extensively to find what was available in the market already but couldn’t find anything so the idea evolved into fruityfaces.  I also felt there was nothing in the market making fruit FUN to eat despite the government and fruit industry promoting the increase of fruit consumption and the ´5 a day´ message.

The Problems

Our biggest hurdle was sourcing foodgrade, EU regulation, non phthalate pvc plastic that didn’t exist. We had to go to a pvc plastic manufacturer and create it with them. This lost us a lot of time.   Intellectual property rights has called for many difficult decisions and is costly.

The Solution

Ours was a specific problem with the pvc.  All I can say is whatever hurdles you come across just take them one step at a time and overcome each one as it arises so you don’t become overwhelmed and disillusioned.

Have faith and perseverance.  Also there are people with a wealth of skills and experience who are often willing to help you if you ask.

The Success

Launched in May 2006 Fruityfaces are available in LakelandLimited, and other high street stores and in many of the major retailers for the back to school season in summer 2008 ,our website and  selling directly into schools getting support from the Dept Of Health Healthy Schools Coordinators and been given the licence to use the 5 a day logo. We have set up distributers in Australia and South Africa and negotiating distributer agreements in Europe and the US.

Finalists in the Fruit Industry Awards for “supporter of the 5 a day” and “Innovation of the Year” Award.

Winner of Packaging Innovation of the Year 2007 and Surrey Chambers Entrepreneur of the Year and Most promising business

A, bespoke products under licence and securing global distributers.

Contact: Paige Allen
Fruityfaces Ltd  www.fruityfaces.com