Five reasons you should enter the New Zealand Food Awards
It’s approaching the time of year where we invite Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and beverage innovators to enter into the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards. Are you considering entering your product or business this year? Here are some reasons why we think you should.
1. We’ve been around for a long time!
The New Zealand Food Awards, owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, has been operating for over 35 years, so you can be confident in our processes. We’re one of the longest-standing awards programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand that recognises excellence and innovation across the food and beverage sector.
The New Zealand Food Awards Marketplace featuring finalists at the Gala Dinner.
2. We celebrate the diverse food and beverage industry.
We don’t favour company size, the awards programme is geared to celebrate big, small and everything in-between! So, if you’re a large global brand or a small artisanal producer, as long as your product is made in Aotearoa, our awards welcome you. We want to know about your latest technical innovations and the people and the mahi behind it.
3. Access New Zealand’s leading industry experts.
Our judging panel consists of over 25 leading industry experts. Our specialist judges represent a cross-section of industry, bringing technical, scientific, commercial, consumer acceptance, food safety compliance, and culinary expertise. That means when you submit your product or business for judging, it will be presented to some of New Zealand’s most influential experts. You will be exposed to industry insights such as new and emerging trends in the market, consumer preferences, food safety protocol and research and development.
A selection of the New Zealand Food Awards judging panel at work.
4. Backed by an influential partner network.
The New Zealand Food Awards are supported by a partner network representing government agencies, industry associations, media outlets and businesses, each playing an important role in the New Zealand food and beverage value chain. As a collective, the network delivers the resources and support needed to empower producers as they continue developing products at the forefront of the industry.
5. Be recognised for your excellence and innovation.
The Quality Mark is a symbol of excellence and innovation.
If your product or business is successful in being named a finalist or a winner, you can be very proud of this achievement. The judging process is one of the most rigorous in the industry and demands high quality, excellence and innovation. The products and businesses recognised as finalists can celebrate knowing they have reached the pinnacle of the New Zealand food and beverage industry. All finalists and winners can proudly display the New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark on their packaging and marketing collateral. The Quality Mark is synonymous with technical capability, regulatory compliance, food quality and safety and consumer acceptability.