Media release
18 July 2008
Snails, vodka and smart cookies finalists in food awards
New Zealand’s first commercially farmed snails, vodka jellies and a smart cookie that gets the Heart Foundation tick are
among the 45 finalists in the 2008 Massey University Food Awards.
The biennial awards recognise the country’s most cutting-edge new food and drink products, championing innovation and
excellence.
The innovative finalists include the first commercially produced NZ pickled snails and snails in spring water from the
Hawke’s Bay, vodka jelly shooters, tart cherry juice that helps you sleep, a low-fat chocolate cream high in omega 3, a
power bar developed by a Coast to Coast winner and a smart choc fudge cookie that receives the Heart Foundation tick.
“The finalists’ line up shows that small businesses are leading the way with product innovation,” says head judge
Allyson Gofton. “There are a lot of small food businesses, many of them entrepreneurs, doing some truly creative things
and it’s great to see such strong innovation.
“The most notable trend among this year’s finalists is that food products are crossing over to the functional food and
nutrition arena, some are even medicinal, and this is something that will grow enormously in future,” she says.
“The finalists also suggest there is a growing drive to meet specialist
People living with celiac disease will be happy with offerings that include gluten-free pikelet, waffle, bread, baking
and pastry mixes.
“It is great to see that a number of products targeted directly at school tuck shops, providing healthy snack options
that are good for kids and still taste delicious,” Gofton says.
Tuck-shop-focused finalists include the smart cookie, based on the Cookie Time favourite, which is the first sweet
biscuit in NZ to achieve the Heart Foundation tick, and Sooshi, a sushi snack pack designed to make the healthy lunch
option available to school canteens.
Innovation in packaging is also a focus as food companies take a more holistic approach to their products and their
impact on the environment.
The finalists will be scrutinised by a panel of food industry experts to find the winners in 20 categories from which
one supreme winner will be selected. The Awards will culminate in a gala dinner in October 2008 when the winners will be
announced.
For a full list of finalists visit http://foodawards.massey.ac.nz
ENDS