Nice Blocks and Carrello de Gelato Invited to Australia

June 2012

For immediate release

Nice Blocks and Carrello de Gelato Invited to Australia

Two of New Zealand’s strongest up-and-coming dessert brands have been selected to attend the 2012 NZTE Path to Market programme culminating in a trip to attend the Fine Foods Melbourne event in September.

Auckland-based gourmet ice block company NICE BLOCKS, and Wellington’s premium gelato brand Carello de Gelato, are two of just 17 food and beverage companies from around the country selected for the annual NZTE Path to Market Programme, which supports export-ready businesses to prepare to enter the Australian market.

This years’ Path to Market Programme will support companies operating in the food and non-alcoholic beverage sectors.

The young brands - NICE BLOCKS isn’t even two yet - will be attending a training workshop, one-on-one coaching and an expert panel assessment in Auckland before flying to Melbourne to attend the Fine Foods Show and meet with key Australian business contacts including distributors and retailers during the three day visit.

NICE BLOCKS co-director James Crow says he is excited to be chosen alongside seasoned veterans such as premium ice cream manufacturers Kohu Road:

“Developing a product range suitable for export is a core mission of businesses like ours. In the past few years funding to assist smaller operators to begin exporting in this sector has been sparse so programmes like this from NZTE are a welcome surprise.”

Nathan Meyer, owner of Carello de Gelato, agrees:

“Getting exposure for a brand can be harder when you’re outside the Auckland region. This programme looks to offer a solid opportunity for meeting Australian buyers face-to-face and we are hoping that this will open a few more doors for both Wellington and Auckland manufacturers alike.”

NICE BLOCKS are currently available at selected fine foods stores in Auckland and Wellington and Carello de Gelato at a wide range of locations throughout Wellington and a growing number around the country. Fine Foods Melbourne is held September 10-13 this year.

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