Introducing: Gorganics

‘One family’s passion for produce’ is Nikki and Ivana Gordine’s motto for their new organic produce store in Orewa called Gorganics.

The two sister-in-laws say they both had a childhood that was centred around good quality food.

Ivana was influenced by her Serbian family but truly found her love for organic wholefoods when she took up crossfit.

“I went on the Paleo lifestyle and cut out all processed foods,” she says. “It showed me a whole new way of eating. Once I started to look at what was in my everyday food I changed to a more organic and wholefoods diet.”

Nikki was influenced by her parents, who are very passionate and experimental home cooks.

“We ate a lot of flavoured stews,” she says. “My father believed in cooking fresh so he would go out every day to buy the ingredients for that night’s dinner.”

The women said that when they started having children, they began to look for healthier choices for their families.

“When we got the idea for the store we could see that there was a large gap in the market. We live in Puhoi but often have to travel to the North Shore to purchase the products we need. We knew we couldn’t be the only ones.”

Nikki and Ivana say they are sourcing products that they use themselves and as much local produce as possible.

This includes meats from Warkworth butchery, a wide range of gluten free products from Phoenix, organic cheese and Teatotal.

Gorganics is at the northern end of Orewa beach next to Walnut Café. It  has strong family ties as the building is owned by Nikki’s family and her nana, Zena Harvey, used to live above the store.

“The other tenants are centred around health and wellbeing so the energy is right,” Nikki says.

The women are looking forward to bringing workshops to teach people how to make healthy snacks for children and quick dinner solutions.

“A lot more people are paying attention to what is in their food and there is a need to learn as much as you can. We have a beautiful space that overlooks the estuary, its has amazing light.

“We see people slowly making changes. It’s about balance and being aware of what is in your food.”