THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE www.foodtechnology.co.nz 17 UNLIMITED FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES As a 20-year-old third-year food technology student, Warkworth’s Grace van Tilborg (one of this year’s Silver Fern Farms $5000 Plate to Pasture youth scholars) is constantly being asked to explain what she does and the career opportunities her degree will lead to. She explains what her answer is. These questions amaze me, as this is an industry that involves everyone and has a direct impact on daily life, yet before I enrolled at Massey University, I was also one of those needing an explanation. I always struggle to find an answer when asked what I want my studies to lead to. Over time, as I become more involved in this industry, I realise the unlimited potential there is, from developing new products to designing the packaging or ensuring product quality and safety. Some days I think I have it all planned out, then I learn about the revolution of high pressure processing or techniques involved in developing colour in a product and immediately new plans are made. From a young age I have been encouraged to follow my passions and take every opportunity as it arises. Growing up on a farm, I developed a great love for the outdoors and an appreciation of where my food comes from. This, combined with my interest in science, led to food technology. I am excited about the New Zealand food industry and how it will continue to advance. New Zealand has a clean, green image, creating safe and reliable food. The niche of natural, organic and real food is rapidly expanding in New Zealand as consumers become more conscious of the food they eat. In addition to successfully adhering to the thorough laws and regulations set for the food industry, most New Zealand food producers also go beyond this, pushing the boundaries to ensure the customer receives the best possible product. Labeling and marketing is important, as food producers are becoming more accountable for where the product comes from and what it is made of. Particularly with red meat in New Zealand, I can trust I am buying an ethical product where the animals have been treated well. Often the calves or lambs that my siblings and I raised as kids would end up as home kill for our meals. For me, I never resented this, because at least I knew the animal was well nurtured and cared for. New Zealand has great sustainable and ethical farming practices, and we have pride in our produce, which is carried through to the products we eat. As a recipient of the Silver Fern Farms plate to pasture youth scholarship, I recently had the opportunity to attend the company's conference in Dunedin. This was an incredible experience. I learnt invaluable knowledge about the red meat sector and business strategies in general. It is the business model that determines success, not the change in technology. Particularly with synthetic meats currently threatening the red meat sector, Silver Fern Farms are focusing on creating an experience for the customer and adapting to changes rather than resenting them - they live by their vision of inspirational food created by passionate people. Everyone I spoke to was passionate about the people they work with, the customer, the product they produce and the future of the industry. It is a company with great ideas that are put into action and have a holistic view of the food chain. I hope that in my future, I have as much passion for the work I do that I witnessed at this conference, although I am not yet certain of where I will end up in the food industry. The unknown is exciting and pushes me to challenge myself in all areas. I value the theory I learn at university, but I believe that knowledge only comes when this theory is experienced in the real world. Similarly, a passion can only truly be discovered when you experience the joy it brings. With more than a third of Kiwi kids overweight or obese, Garden to Table and T&G are proud to be changing the way New Zealand children think about food with the launch of the inaugural T&G Garden to Table Young Gardener of the Year Awards. The awards aim to seek out five green-thumbed budding young gardeners who are enthusiastic, have passion and drive to grow fresh produce to create delicious dishes. Schools can also get involved – with a T&G Garden to Table School of the Year Award. T&G executive general manager NZ produce Andrew Keaney says his company is excited to shine a light on the next generation of growers on top of the 1000 growers T&G works with every day. “This is a time where children are not only becoming more overweight, they are losing their fine motor skills – and that is not acceptable,” Keaney says. “Through the T&G Garden to Table Young Gardener Awards, we’re encouraging kids to put those screens down and get their hands dirty, while being outside and learning in a different environment.” Applications close on September 29. www.younggardenerawards. co.nz. FEATURE STORY
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