NEW KIWI BREAD PRODUCT Iconic New Zealand favourite Tip Top Bakery is set to introduce the best thing since sliced bread – innovative Tip Top Sandwich Thins. At only 99 calories per serve, Tip Top Sandwich Thins are a softer, lighter alternative to traditional bread and wraps, and come in three varieties…original, wholemeal and lightly seeded. They carry a Health Star Rating of at least 4 Stars. The new release from George Weston Foods makes six sandwiches, and is free of any artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. “Tip Top has been baking for Kiwis for more than 60 years, and the trusted brand continues to create new products as New Zealand’s eating habits change,” George Weston Foods general manager marketing and innovation Justin Alblas says. The NZ Nutrition Foundation recommends an adult lunch include carbohydrates 8 MAY 2017 as well as a range of vegetables and protein. ”There has been a real movement away from carbs – especially breads. But they are not the enemy, so we would support any new products that offer a lighter alternative,” Foundation chief executive Sarah Hanrahan says. Vogel's bread is a Kiwi tradition, so it figures that the world-famous loaf is interested in what makes New Zealanders tick. A survey of 23,636 people, held to celebrate Vogel’s 50th birthday, has confirmed what many already know…we are a nation of Dave Dobbyn-loving, Marlborough Sav-quaffing, crunchy peanut butter afficionardos. “We loved that so many New Zealanders weighed in on our Big Little Census; the number of respondents means that one in every 200 Kiwis shared their views on what makes us, us,” Vogel’s marketing manager Andrew Fenwick says. ”To be honest, we were expecting to find more differences than similarities when it came to the regions but it turns out we’re a pretty united bunch from Cape Reinga all the way to Bluff.” A total of 30 questions were asked, and the results could surprise you. Dave Dobbyn and his Footrot Flats’ Slice of Heaven took out top spot in the national soundtrack, with Loyal in second place and Poi E in third. Our favourite legend is Sir Edmund Hillary, followed by Helen Clark and Richie McCaw; and 84% revealed they slather crunchy peanut butter on their hot Vogel’s toast. In terms of a tipple, Marlborough Sav topped the list, with Central Otago Pinot Noir a close second. ”There were some local differences but overall the census revealed more nationwide similarities than variances,” Fenwick says. “Most Kiwis pretend not be home when somebody knocks; on the whole we’re a modest bunch and sleep in PJs not the nude; most of us don’t lie about our age; and as a nation we can be trusted to keep a secret, with the West Coast being the most trustworthy of the bunch with 96% of West Coasters being secret keepers. Areas we’re divided on include the confession that Taranaki dwellers prefer cats over dogs to the tune of 51% compared to the national average of 46%; and all of the country are self-confessed night owls except for those dawn-loving, surf-faring folk in Gisborne. Fifty years on, 23,636 Kiwis and millions of loaves later, we love that we’re still a nation of trustworthy, three-second-rule following, ticklish, innie tummy buttoners who prefer to munch hot toast.” WHAT MAKES A KIWI N E W S One of Hastings’ longest serving companies is helping make Hastings more beautiful by celebrating that it is very much a part of the town’s Great Things Grow Here story. Wattie’s is welcoming the painting of a massive mural reflecting its history on its 3m by 20m wall facing into the A&P Showgrounds, co-ordinated by the Hastings District Council’s Keep Hastings Beautiful team.A clean up of what is the rear end of Wattie’s Tomoana site has already been undertaken, with graffiti cleaned off, new fencing installed and trees planted between the building and the rail line. The concept has been put together by designer Alan Passchier and will come alive on the wall at the hands of artist Brandon Blair. Wattie’s history in Hastings dates back to 1934, when Jim Wattie and Harold Carr started J. Wattie Canneries Ltd after Wattie saw that fresh Hawke’s Bay produce was being wasted because it was too expensive to send to Auckland and Wellington. The pair started pulping gooseberries, plums and peaches to be made into jam, before moving into canning peaches and pears. From there it was a short stride to canning peas and tomatoes. Wattie’s products are in virtually every household in New Zealand, and two thirds of production is exported across the world. Today Wattie’s makes a wide range of products including the iconic Wattie’s tomato sauce, baked beans and spaghetti, frozen foods, fruit and vegetables, jams, soup and pet food. Wattie’s managing director Mike Pretty says the company has a long and proud history in Hastings, and being able to so publicly add to the character of the city is an honour. “The story of Sir James Wattie is known by almost everyone in Hastings and wider Hawke’s Bay,” he says. “On top of our world famous fine wines and foods, Hastings is becoming increasingly known for its public art. At Wattie’s, we are pleased to be able to contribute to that.” WATTIE’S: HISTORY ON THE WALL
FT-May17-eMag
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