sustainability were assessed
by two specialist judges; Fiona
Stephenson and Holly Leach,
both from the Sustainable
Business Network. Following the
assessments Fiona noted, “A
growing number of New Zealand
food businesses are recognising
the importance of sustainability,
and incorporating good
environmental and social practices
in their business operations, which
is very encouraging. This includes
consideration of ingredients,
land use, water, waste, transport,
energy, climate, packaging,
community engagement and staff
wellbeing.”
“Food businesses that address
these issues are helping
regenerate NZ’s food system to
one that is more resilient, healthy
and environmentally and sociallyresponsible.
It’s good for our
environment, good for people, and
good for business.”
Co-organiser of the Outstanding
NZ Food Producer Awards, Kathie
Bartley said “we had an varied
range of products again this year
– plenty of sausages and value
added meat products such as
flavoured beef, venison or chicken
patties, a huge range of honey,
dairy free yoghurt and ice cream,
convenience pre-cooked meals,
cereals packed with nuts, seeds
and fruit. These sat alongside a
stellar line up of NZ dairy including;
specialty cheeses, butter, cow and
sheep milk and ice cream.”
“This year we gave drink its own
category and were pleased to
see continued growth in kefir and
kombucha entries as well as teas,
fruit cordials and artesian mineral
waters.”
Co-organiser Nicola McConnell
noted that after four years of
awards: “I urge food lovers to
look for products with our Gold,
Silver and Bronze Medal stickers.
These stickers are an independent
endorsement of quality—a promise
to food lovers that the food and
drink products will be delicious!”
All Gold Medal winners are in
contention for the Outstanding NZ
Food Producer Awards Supreme
Champion, Category Champion
and Special Awards, which will be
announced on Tuesday 21 April.
Awards to be announced are:
Emerson’s Dairy Champion, Farro
Earth Champion, Giesen Wines
Paddock Champion, Seafood
NZ Water Champion and Label
& Litho Drink Champion; one of
which will be also named 2020
Outstanding NZ Food Producer
Supreme Champion. NZ Life &
Leisure Spirit of New Zealand
Award, Outstanding Sustainability,
FMCG Business Outstanding New
Product, Fresh.co.nz Outstanding
Startup Producer and Outstanding
Free-From Product and Coast
People’s Choice Awards for
Outstanding Food Producer and
Outstanding NZ Farmers’ Market
will also be revealed then.
www.foodtechnology.co.nz 15
/www.foodtechnology.co.nz
