Palmerston North – New Zealand's Food City
Palmerston North City Council is a proud partner of the New Zealand Food Awards, sponsoring the Health and Wellbeing category. This partnership is a reflection of the city’s commitment to becoming the Food Innovation Capital of New Zealand and a focus on food and beverage products that demonstrate a benefit to consumer hauora.
Grant Smith, Mayor of Palmerston North
Palmerston North is a city with a vision – a vision of becoming the Food Innovation Capital of New Zealand. Nestled in the heart of North Island’s Manawatū region, Palmy boasts an extensive and well-established food innovation ecosystem that spans a wide spectrum of industries. From farming and agriculture to food production and processing, logistics, distribution and transportation, education, sustainability, and more, this city is emerging as a powerhouse of innovation in the realm of food.
The Agricultural Heartbeat of New Zealand
One of Palmy's key strengths lies in its geographic location. Situated at the heart of the fertile Manawatū plains, the city serves as an agricultural engine for New Zealand's economy. The high class soils surrounding the city and wider region have been a source of nourishment and prosperity for generations. Here, the rhythm of nature dictates life, and the connection to the land is deeply ingrained in the city's DNA.
Education and Innovation Hub
Palmerston North takes pride in being home to Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Manawatū campus. The University is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading institution in agricultural and applied sciences, and with a strong emphasis on research and innovation, Massey plays a pivotal role in driving food-related advancements. Alongside Massey, other research institutions; Fonterra Global Research & Development centre, Agresearch Grasslands, the Riddet Institute and NZ Plant & Food all add to the innovation network. All these institutions serve as a beacon of knowledge, nurturing the next generation of experts and thought leaders in the field of food innovation.
In fact, Palmy boasts more Ph.D. holders per capita than any other city in New Zealand, demonstrating its commitment to intellectual growth and innovation. The city's intellectual capital is a valuable asset, creating a fertile ground for groundbreaking ideas.
Massey University is home to the largest collection of pilot-scale food processing equipment in the Southern Hemisphere including the FoodPilot. The facility boasts a thousand square metres of food-safe space, to help the entrepreneurs and innovators create the food products of the future. EatKinda, a multiple award winner at the 2023 New Zealand Food Awards, utilised this facility to help scale up the production of their cauliflower frozen dessert.
The Epicentre of Food Innovation
Palmerston North's claim to fame is its position as the centre of food innovation for New Zealand. It's not just about producing food; it's about redefining the entire food ecosystem. The city is where the seeds are planted, grown, harvested, and distributed, but it doesn't stop there. Palmy is at the forefront of evolving how we relate and think about food into the future.
This includes innovations in waste management, achieving higher crop yields, reducing environmental impact, the role of future foods and maintaining nutritional integrity. The city's commitment to sustainability and responsible practices is paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for the entire food industry.
A Collaborative Ecosystem
Palmy's journey towards becoming a nourishing Food City is not a solitary one. It is a collaborative effort. The city is a vital link in New Zealand's logistics and transport network, facilitating the smooth flow of goods and resources to various corners of the nation, and export goods to markets internationally. This interconnectedness extends to partnerships with institutions like fellow New Zealand Food Awards partner FoodHQ, where over 3100 scientists, researchers, and innovators are working tirelessly to enhance New Zealand's food chain and overall value.
In Palmerston North, food innovation is not just a concept; it's a way of life. The city's unique blend of agricultural heritage, educational excellence, and innovative spirit makes it a true leader in this field. Palmy's vision of becoming the most nourishing Food City in the world is not just an aspiration; it's a journey towards a future where food is not just sustenance but a source of richness, innovation, and sustainability.
As Palmy continues to spearhead food innovation, it sets an inspiring example for cities worldwide. By harnessing the natural advantages of the land and combining them with cutting-edge technology and knowledge, Palmerston North is poised to shape the future of food for the better. It's a journey worth following, for Palmy is not just a city; it's a beacon of hope for a more nourished and sustainable world.
