After more than twelve months of negotiations, a selection of Heilala products are now available in approximately 700 Coles stores and 839 Woolworths supermarkets throughout Australia.

Woolworths will stock the company’s 50ml vanilla extract and the two-piece vanilla beans, while Coles will sell its multi-award-winning 65gm vanilla paste.

Previously, Heilala Vanilla has only been available through gourmet and specialist food stores in Australia.

Heilala Vanilla co-founder and CEO, Jennifer Boggiss, says the new partnership is a significant step for the company, which was established on the island of Vava’u in Tonga over a decade ago. “Eleven years ago we harvested our first crop of vanilla beans after falling in love with the people of Vava’u and the place. Vanilla was already growing on the island and we were instrumental in re-invigorating the vanilla industry there.”

Heilala pays its growers more than the commodity market price for vanilla beans. “From the start, our driving force was to create a premium vanilla brand that benefitted a community in a very remote part of the South Pacific,” says Boggiss. “We have seen first-hand the positive impact this has had on the local community.” 

The company’s range has been available in New Zealand supermarkets for five years, with sales increasing every year.

Heilala Vanilla products have won praise from chefs, food writers and foodies in New Zealand and internationally, as well as winning many culinary awards. The products are also used in some of the world’s finest restaurants, from Attica in Melbourne, to Michelin star restaurants, Manresa and Melisse, in California, and Crosstown Donuts in London.

“We are committed to building the Heilala Vanilla brand in Australia and this represents one of the many opportunities we are pursuing in the market,” says Boggiss. “It’s an exciting time for the company, with strong growth also in the foodservice segment. We are making great progress in becoming the market leader in the vanilla category”.

For more on Heilala Vanilla, visit: www.heilalavanilla.com