The 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards will be judged in March and New Zealand producers harvesting, growing and making food for retail sale are encouraged to enter the awards online at oustandingproducer.nz by 25 February 2019.
The awards are: Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Champion, Emerson’s Dairy Champion, Water Champion, Farro Earth Champion, Ara Wines Paddock Champion.
Special awards are: NZ Life & Leisure Spirit of New Zealand Award, T & G Global Outstanding Sustainability, FMCG Business Outstanding New Product, Label & Litho Outstanding Packaging, Marvellous Marketing Outstanding Drink, Outstanding Free-From Product and Outstanding Startup Producer.
The awards – which celebrate Kiwis who harvest, grow and make food and drinks – were first held in 2017. Over two years of the awards a team of specialist judges have assessed almost 350 products, awarding 130 products with an Outstanding NZ Food Producer Award which allows the products to wear a medal sticker as an independent endorsement of its quality.
Co-organiser Kathie Bartley of Marvellous Marketing said the 2019 awards included two new categories. “Last year we noticed a significant increase in health-based products. We want to give ‘Free-From’ produce the opportunity to be assessed on its own merits and therefore have introduced a ‘Free-From’ category.” Producers creating products which are free from gluten and/or additives and/or preservatives and/or sugar, are invited to enter this category.
“As well as celebrating the dedication and ingenuity of New Zealand producers we have always wanted the awards to encourage and support them. Therefore, we’re pleased to be adding a special award for ‘Outstanding Start-up Producer’.” This award will recognise a producer who has started their business within the past year and aims to support them by introducing them to Outstanding NZ Food Producer alumni and providing support to help them build a strong base to grow their fledgling business.
Expert judges
The 2019 Awards judging panel will once again be led by tireless supporter of New Zealand food, cookbook author and food writer, Lauraine Jacobs. She will be joined by a host of experts, including FMCG Business Head of Content Tamara Rubanowski, who will judge in specialist panels across the major categories; paddock, dairy, water, earth as well as drinks, sustainability and free from. Products are scored out of 100 marks and judges assess product quality, flavour, aroma, texture, consistency, packaging, innovation and sustainability with outstanding produce awarded gold and silver medals. All gold medallists are considered as a champion for their category. The outstanding product as assessed by the judges will be named Supreme Champion at a cocktail party in Auckland on Tuesday 16 April 2019.
Feedback is available for all entries and Marvellous Marketing will host a number of Winner Events around New Zealand between April and September 2019 that will showcase gold and silver medallists.
Foodies can also vote for their favourite Outstanding Product and Outstanding Farmers’ Market in the annual Coast People’s Choice Awards.
