Showcasing best of Kiwi food innovation

Showcasing best of Kiwi food innovation

New Zealand punches far above its weight when it comes to producing food. We're a trusted supplier to markets across the globe. Much of what we produce - some say too much - is exported as primary production instead of value-added processed foods.

Thanks to Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd (and organisation of Auckland Council), that perception is set to be broken with October's NZ Food Innovation Showcase, where visitors from all over the world and country will be able to see and explore our world-leading food technology, companies and products. Over three days (16 to 18 October) at Auckland's newly built Viaduct Events Centre, New Zealand's food science, processing, packaging, safety, and innovation expertise will be on display to industry professionals, as well as to the public at set times.

The timing coincides with a certain international sporting event that will bring an influx of international visitors, with invitations to hand-picked key influencers in some of the world's biggest food importers already sent - and many acceptances received, including from top people at Tesco's. The Showcase has support from across the industry and government, with Prime Minister's office indicating he is likely to give an opening address.

NZ Food Innovation Showcase organiser, Brent Spillane of XPO Exhibitions says the Showcase will give visitors an insight into the safety and innovation of New Zealand food, as well and creating wider awareness of assistance that is out there to help serious food manufacturers with the promotion and commercialisation of New Zealand food products to world markets, including a brand new test production facility due to open in Manukau in September.

"The event will provide companies with an insight into the soon to be opened NZ Food Innovation Centre in Manukau Auckland, which (the industry) can thank in no small part to Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd. The Manukau Food Innovation Centre has a purpose designed and built food laboratory and test manufacturing plant. Businesses can book time to use the facility to help commercialise great ideas in food innovation. Companies will be able to run actual trials in the facility, using world-class equipment.

"Together, the NZ Food Innovation Showcase and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (formerly Enterprising Manukau) will be promoting value-add food products, showing that New Zealand is far more than a primary producer, having serious capability with food technology and leading science. Visitors to the NZ Food Innovation Showcase will take the journey along the food chain and see real-world food innovation and processing in action. With Otago and Massey universities involved, as well as AUT and AsureQuality, our science-based approach and emphasis on safety will be obvious."

Brent Spillane says that the NZ Food Innovation Showcase links into the Auckland, Waikato, Palmerston North and Christchurch food innovation centres, and the New Zealand Food Awards. The involvement of Tony Nowell, previously CEO of Zespri and involved with the Food Innovation Centre being developed at Manukau, and Chairman of NZ Food Innovation Manukau(NZFIM) has been critical.

The Showcase is also benefitting from XPO's expertise in running NZ's long running Foodtech Packtech biennial trade show and culminates with the New Zealand Food Awards gala dinner on 19 October, says Brent Spillane.

"A select group of proven food innovators that have followed a support network pathway towards food innovation excellence will exhibit as finalists for the prestigious NZ Food Awards. They, and other exhibiting companies, will demonstrate the science, tools, safety, technology and support networks in place that allow New Zealand businesses to be leading food producers and exporters to the world."

The showcase exhibition is free of charge to anyone who pre-registers for the show online at www.nzfoodinnovationshowcase.co.nz. The NZ Food Innovation Showcase is presented by Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development Ltd (an Auckland Council organisation) at the newly built Viaduct Events Centre, with XPO Exhibitions the event organiser.

ENDS

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