Kiwi Food expertise excites global buyers

Kiwi Food expertise excites global buyers

The world’s food business eyes are focused on New Zealand as the industry’s first NZ Food Innovation Showcase gets closer.

October’s NZ Food Innovation Showcase runs from 16 to 18 October at Auckland’s newly-built Viaduct Events Centre. With strong interest from international and local visitors, those showcasing Kiwi food, food science and innovation are buzzing about the opportunity to re-affirm our nation’s position as a highly trusted and sought-after global food supplier.

Leading-edge science is a feature, and globally-renowned AUT University will be demonstrating why the world looks to New Zealand. Dr Luke Krieg says that prominent AUT Food Microbiologist, Prof. John Brooks, will be at the event. “AUT prides itself on being an engaged university and our many researchers are passionate about food. We are looking forward to sharing their work at the showcase and exchanging ideas with other industry and researchers. People will get to see some of the work of our food microbiologists, sensory scientists, aquaculturists, nutritionists and culinary artists thanks to our interactive display.”

The practical application of pioneering science will also be evident at the NZ Food Innovation Showcase.

“Custom-designed bottles produced to a very high quality standard are our specialty,” says Paul Sutton of LinkPlas Innovation. “Visitors will be able to talk to us about creating a unique bottle to increase brand awareness for their product. The Showcase is an opportunity to present our capabilities to a local and international audience, and show how food businesses can benefit from our ability to react quickly to requests for new products. One example is our creation of a 'world first' with the production of a PET 187ml wine bottle for use in the airline and entertainment industries.

“The Pettle, is an all-round environmental winner and took more than four years of product development and testing to achieve the required shelf-life of 12 months and also maintain the integrity of the wine. The Pettle weighs just 34g, saving 120g per bottle, which is a significant environmental improvement. Another major advantage of the Pettle is that there has been no leakage since launch because the neck finish is much more accurate than the glass equivalent.”

While packaging and integrity go hand-in-hand, it’s what’s inside that sells. Vicky Taylor of Smartfoods says that by focusing on a small segment and taking innovation seriously both consumers and food retailers benefit.

“Smartfoods is only six years old. Started in the kitchen at home, we now have products that feature on breakfast tables throughout New Zealand and in six export markets. Our great brand means people have been willing to try products, but our great innovation and product development is what keeps them coming back. We look for the best foods and flavours from nature, which leads us to develop unique products. In collaboration with a Waikato berry grower, Smartfoods launched to an international market an antioxidant-fortified muesli with the anti brain-ageing properties of blueberries. Recently Smartfoods became the first cereal manufacturer in Australasia to develop a cereal with a natural plant-based sweetener, Stevia, achieving a low sugar level of just 6.6 per cent,” says Ms Taylor.

“The Showcase is a great opportunity to talk to international trade visitors, New Zealand retailers and Kiwi consumers about the great work that goes on in the food industry in this country. Food is one of the backbones of our economy, our way of life and greatly contributes to our quality of life. Sometimes we take it for granted, but we should all be aware of what it takes to make great food.”

The three day showcase will be intense and exhilarating for all those with a professional or even personal interest in food. Visitors from all over the world will see and explore New Zealand’s leading-edge food technology, companies and products at the NZ Food Innovation Showcase.

The showcase is free of charge to any food industry professional who pre-registers online at www.nzfoodinnovationshowcase.co.nz

ENDS

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