Foodstuffs is once again on a mission to help bring emerging New Zealand suppliers into the forefront through Foodstuffs Emerge, a national competition that will see the category winners get valuable support from Industry leaders and Foodstuffs mentors; plus, a fast-tracked journey for their product onto supermarket shelves in New World stores across the motu.
Supported by a plethora of industry partners with high credentials, the nationwide search has started with the aim of recognising, supporting and encouraging innovation within the grocery sector.
Last year’s competition saw Adam McConnochie of Solid take out the start-up category and now just six months since the competition, Solid have just introduced their innovative plastic free toothpaste to New World supermarkets across the country. And Herbivore the now four-year-old company bagged the small supplier category in the competition which allowed them to scale up quickly and fast-tracked ranging into New World stores nationwide.
Chris Quin, CEO Foodstuffs North Island says “alongside value our commitment to innovation remains a big priority. Emerge is about helping support New Zealand’s small suppliers as we have done for over 100 years who’re pioneering product development in our sector through the process and onto our shelves. The Emerge competition is one of my favourite parts of the year, there’s so much creativity, comradery and community built throughout the competition process, it’s fantastic to see and be a part of. What’s really rewarding is supporting these fledging businesses to reach their full potential, here in NZ and for some, provide a solid platform for overseas success.”
On encouraging innovation in the grocery sector, Foodstuffs South Island CEO, Mary Devine says: “Starting and growing a new business can be an exciting and also a daunting time, Emerge provides an opportunity to fast-track and navigate the process for emerging suppliers to the supermarket shelf by leaning on the expertise of our teams in the co-ops. It’s one way we can support small businesses and ultimately offer more choice for our customers. This collaboration underpins Foodstuffs’ commitment to being Here for NZ through supporting supplier communities and in turn helping local communities to thrive.”
Foodstuffs Emerge, welcomes all FMCG creators – not just food and beverage innovators. If you can buy it in a supermarket, you can enter here:
What the Foodstuffs Emerge category winners will each receive
Foodstuffs partners with the category winners to develop a strategy based on their position/scalability & ability to supply to New World Stores
• PR and Paid Media Support
• Precision Media campaign package covering point of sale and ecomm
• New Zealand Food Innovation Network Scalability and Supply Chain Support
• A 6-month, monthly momentum package from Rise Growth Lab
• DDB 2hr strategy workshop and mini starter kit (based on design exploration)
• Dunnhumby to provide insights based on the winner’s product category
• A consultation on sustainable packaging with a Foodstuffs Sustainable Packaging Manager
In addition the winner of the start-up category will also receive:
• HOOP Brand Activation to provide a launch Merchandising package
Entries for Foodstuffs Emerge open on May 8th and close June 16th 2024,
