From ingredients to manufacturing: Exploring the power of innovation in food and beverage
This article was originally posted by New Zealand Food Innovation Network here.
New Zealand Food Innovation Network is proud to once again be the partner sponsoring the Novel category at this year's New Zealand Food Awards, owned and operated by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.
This category is all about recognising companies that are pushing the boundaries and breaking new ground with innovative products and processes that are changing the way we think about food and beverage.
It’s important to think beyond the ingredients when defining innovation. In the New Zealand Food Awards, innovation can be demonstrated at any stage of the product lifecycle and is often seen everywhere from packaging, manufacturing, and production, to distribution and sales channels.
As the sponsor of this category, the NZ Food Innovation Network has seen first-hand the incredible work that New Zealand-based companies are doing to drive innovation and create unique products that are both delicious and sustainable.
One example of innovation in the food and beverage industry is the use of new and unique ingredients. Companies like Atutahi drinks, who incorporate kawakawa and kumarahou - traditional rongoā plants – into a range of drinks. Or NewFish, who are fermenting New Zealand microalgae and underutilised seafood to create new sustainable food sources. Their Pāua Saucisson was a finalist at the 2021 New Zealand Food Awards
Innovation is not just limited to ingredients. Companies like Boring® Oat Milk and Otis Oat Milk, both finalists in previous New Zealand Food Awards, had to get creative to find manufacturing solutions to bring their products to the market at scale. The Food Innovation Network worked with both companies in their early stages, but it took tenacity and ingenuity to forge a pathway to the mass market. Boring® Oat Milk partnered with The Apple Press in Hawke’s Bay, and Otis Oat Milk now have plans to bring their NZ-grown oats back to NZ for manufacturing, with a new facility in Auckland set to open by the end of the year.
Boring® Oat Milk is also a great example of innovative branding. Imagine a crowded supermarket shelf, packed with clever brands and alluring packaging. It's tough to stand out in the crowd, but with its recyclable bottle and distinctive green and white branding, Boring® Oat Milk has developed a standout brand where the oat milk inside may not be the star of the show, but it’s a versatile supporting act that blends seamlessly with any food or beverage.
The Pure Food Co, the New Zealand Food Awards Supreme Award winner in 2019, impressed the judges with their approach to market research and business planning. Staging investments in manufacturing, operations and logistics included completing research and development at Massey University's FoodPilot in 2013, then launching at The FoodBowl in 2015, before setting up a small-scale manufacturing facility and subsequently moving to a large-scale state of the art manufacturing facility in 2019.
Packaging is also an area where innovation is being applied. Decent Packaging has developed a range of compostable packaging solutions made from renewable resources. From a garage start-up in East Auckland to a global company focussed on reducing waste and environmental impact, they are leading the way in sustainable packaging solutions. We’re picking that manufacturers and consumers can expect to see more smart packaging solutions become readily available – elevating packaging from simply a means to contain and protect what’s inside.
In the manufacturing and distribution space, companies like T&G Global and Rockit Global are utilising robotics in their apple packing process, increasing productivity and reducing the risk of workplace injuries. AI-powered traceability systems can help food manufacturers track and monitor their products through the entire supply chain. AI is also being used by food manufacturers to better forecast demand, manage production and manage inventory to minimise waste and reduce costs.
Innovation in sales channels was necessary for the Chia Sisters during the first lockdowns in 2020. Their award winning immunity hot tonic opened up sales channels outside of cafes and into valuable export markets.
"Since we stamped the New Zealand Food Awards Quality Mark on our bottle we have taken it into the US market where it is gaining traction at some of the most premium health food stores in the world." Chloe Van Dyke
Finally, there are companies like Whittaker's Chocolate, whose Peanut Slab was recognised as an iconic kiwi favourite at the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards. Whittaker's have made efforts to ensure all products crafted from Ghanian cocoa are Rainforest Alliance Certified, and on top of that investment they’re also supporting local communities in Ghana. By doing so, they are creating a sustainable and ethical supply chain that benefits everyone involved.
The Novel category at this year's New Zealand Food Awards is a celebration of the innovation and creativity that is driving the food and beverage industry forward. New Zealand-based companies are at the forefront of this movement, using new and unique ingredients, innovative processes, and sustainable practices to create delicious and sustainable products that are changing the way we think about food and beverage. We are proud to sponsor this category and look forward to seeing the incredible products and processes that are being developed.
Entries for the New Zealand Food Awards are open until 31 May 2023 - enter here.
