Client: Forage

Industry: Fresh Produce Supply

Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

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The Challenge

Founded in 2020, Forage was built on a simple but powerful promise: reliability. Supplying fresh produce to restaurants, hotels, and game lodges across Port Elizabeth, Bradley Meier set out to become a partner Chefs could depend on.
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As demand grew, so did the pressure on cash flow. Fresh produce businesses require constant upfront spend to secure stock and pay suppliers on time. While Forage aimed to remain as debt-free as possible with their suppliers, growth began to outpace available working capital. Attempts to secure traditional bank funding were unsuccessful, putting further expansion at risk.
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With momentum building and supplier commitments to meet, Forage needed a funding partner who understood the realities of a fast-growing food supply business.

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The Solution

That’s where Pumpkn stepped in.
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Pumpkn funded Forage’s initial invoices quickly, allowing the business to secure stock and invest in additional equipment without taking a major upfront cash hit. The process was simple, fast, and focused on Forage’s real operational needs.
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“Pumpkn helped us get ahead and meet our financial goals. Their processes are straightforward, and they genuinely focus on customer service.” says Bradley.

With reliable access to funding, Forage could focus on running and growing the business rather than constantly managing cash flow stress.

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The Outcome

The impact of Pumpkn’s support was immediate and measurable.
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Forage significantly increased its production capacity and scaled operations to meet higher demand. The business hired an Operations Controller to manage increased volumes and successfully secured larger clients across the hospitality sector.
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With improved cash flow and operational stability, Forage is now in a strong financial position and well-equipped to support continued growth.

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Conclusion

From a growing fresh produce supplier to a trusted partner for chefs across the region, Forage’s journey highlights the importance of having the right funding partner at the right time.
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Looking ahead, the business plans to double both its customer base and revenue in 2026. With Pumpkn as a financial partner, Forage is confident it can keep scaling sustainably.
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“I would definitely recommend Pumpkn. The team understands growing businesses, and their support has been critical to our success.” says Bradley.

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