From organic vanilla products and gold kiwifruit to sheep milk and meat substitutes made from plant proteins, the Innovation Awards demonstrate New Zealand’s food and beverage industry is at the forefront of innovative thinking.

New Zealand Innovation Council CEO, Louise Webster, says she has seen a significant shift in Kiwi innovation that is focused on high growth, export markets that demonstrate world-leading approaches to innovation with many businesses going global from day one.

Dr Jocelyn Eason from Plant & Food Research, an evaluator of the category, says, “The entries for the awards were of an impressive calibre, and are setting a great example. There is a focus on products that consumers want coupled with an authentic brand story, as well as a solid understanding of business and the food value chain. I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to seeing them succeed on the global stage.”

This year's finalists in the Food & Beverage category are:

• Countdown - The Foodbank Project
• Fonterra - GA for paediatric nutrition
• Heilala Vanilla - anything but Plain!
• Ligar - Ligar in F & B
• Spring Sheep Milk Co.
• Sunfed Ltd - Sunfed Meats
• WineFriend
• Zespri - SunGold Kiwifruit

The winners will be announced at the New Zealand Innovation Awards event on 20 October at SkyCity Convention Centre. More information is available from www.innovationawards.org.nz