Hawke's Bay firm wins top 'Good Food' prize

Mangarara: The Family Farm owners, Greg and Rachel Hart, with their children Emma (left), Bill and George at Mangarara Station in Hawke's Bay. Photo/File

Hawke's Bay business Mangarara: The Family Farm has won a national competition to seek out the very best in fledgling "good" food businesses.

In its third year, the Good Food Boost competition saw four winners chosen for their commitment to give back to society, or their protection of the environment.

Owners Greg and Rachel Hart provide meat packs from a regenerative agriculture farm in Hawkes Bay.

The Good Food Boost initiative is part of a NZ-Wide campaign, Good Food Nation and is organised by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed).

SBN Project Lead said the four businesses "tick all the boxes".

"For us 'good' food is local, seasonal, healthy, tasty, culturally connected or organic.
The fresh ideas coming from niche markets like these are important in helping New Zealand develop high value goods both at home and abroad. Look out for them."

The other winners included Green Spot Technologies (high nutrient flour made from fermented fruit and vegetable pulp), Hakanoa Handmade Drinks (artisan ginger beers and syrups made from classic recipes) and Judge Bao (oyster and hoisin sauces made from natural New Zealand ingredients).

Celebrity chef, Michael Van de Elzen, founder of premium cafe and bakery Little & Friday, Kim Evans, communications guru of Assignment, Martin Yeoman and Paul Johnston from Life Health Foods are part of the mentoring team which will dish out personal training, guidance and inspiration to the winning businesses.

Michael Van de Elzen said "there are some great businesses here that hopefully will be able to go to the next level. I'm excited. Kiwi ingenuity applied to food can be a world-beating combination."

They will also take their wares to the FoodBowl food innovation facility in Auckland, where they will be able to test out new production and packaging ideas. They will also receive a free access to a marketing workshop.

The competition, was judged by four people, including Business Development Manager at New Zealand Food Innovation Network, Angus Brown; Manager Commercial Place Operations at Panuku Development Auckland, Connie Clarkson; Restorative Food Project Lead at Sustainable Business Network, Emily King and Growth Programme Specialist at Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development, Wendy Voegelin.