Special ANZAC chocolates hit the shelves

Special ANZAC chocolates hit the shelves

The special commemorative ‘Flanders Field Selection’ ANZAC chocolates are now available in Foodstuffs’ New World, PAK’N SAVE and most Four Square stores.

The Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association has given its official approval and insignia to the special edition of commemorate chocolates made by Belgium chocolatier Vandenbulcke.

Selling for $6.99, 50 cents from every box sold will be given to the RSA by leading European food importer and Auckland-based business William Aitken & Co which commissioned the specially manufactured and marked boxes of commemorative chocolates for New Zealand.

Chief Executive of the Royal New Zealand RSA David Moger says the RSA is delighted with the initiative and the proceeds raised will be well received and not insignificant.

“We’re thrilled importing company William Aitken and Foodstuffs are doing this off their own backs and it seems the chocolates are already proving popular. They are beautifully presented and are another great way for the New Zealand public to support the RSA,” says Mr Moger.

Sales & Marketing manager of William Aitken & Co, Troy Culpitt, says he’s very confident they’ll be a popular commemorative gift and treat.

“I suspect they’ll be sold out by ANZAC Day. If that’s the case our plan is they’ll be back every April for the remaining three years of the World War One centennial commemorations.

“At $6.99c, this is a great price for a quality box of Belgium milk chocolates with eight generous pieces inside that are mint-filled and each shaped as a Tommy Helmet or Tin Helmet - a well-recognised symbol of The Great War. In some supermarkets they’re selling for even less.

Company founder William Aitken served in World War One and set up his European food importing business during World War Two. Mr Culpitt says with that in mind William Aitken & Co is immensely aware of the sacrifices New Zealanders made in Belgium. On the back of each chocolate box the infamous 12 October 1917 Battle of Passchendaele is retold.

“So for us as a heritage New Zealand FMCG company which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, it made sense for us to work with Vandenbulcke which has been manufacturing great Belgium chocolates very near the fields of Flanders and Passchendaele since 1949.

“We are really pleased these commemorative chocolates are now on the shelves and we know New Zealanders will be equally keen to buy and enjoy them as we head towards a very special ANZAC Day,” says Mr Culpitt.

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