Fine Food NZ helping Australian businesses source Kiwi goods [sponsored]

Fine Food New Zealand is the perfect opportunity for Australian buyers and distributors to find outstanding Kiwi suppliers and get great deals on high-quality, innovative products.

It’s New Zealand’s foremost trade event for the foodservice, food retail, and hospitality industries and is expected to attract 7,000 national and international visitors to the ASB Showgrounds from 26 to 28 June. And it only happens once every two years, so now is the time to register for free entry at register.finefoodnz.co.nz and book your trans-Tasman flights.

Fine Food NZ is where business owners, directors, purchasing managers and buyers from top food and beverage companies discover the latest products, the best suppliers, and the most inspiring ideas. The 2016 show has been extensively upgraded, is packed with fresh new features, and has entered into a partnership with NZ Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) to help companies from both sides of the Tasman (and further afield) hook up and do great business.

NZTE is bringing a number of Australian distributors across the Tasman to check out various Kiwi companies participating in the show, but Stephen Blair, the NZTE Trade Commissioner based in Melbourne, expects many Australian buyers and category managers to attend the show as well.

“We’re also running workshops on pricing and margins, foodservice, private label versus branding, and some of the strategic decisions that businesses need to make as part of their internationalisation journey,” said Blair. “Plus we’ll have a stand at the show to help explain what NZTE can do and provide signposts towards other organisations that can provide companies with support.

“We’re a New Zealand trade promotion agency and we’re keen to highlight the range of fantastic New Zealand companies that we’ve got in the food space, the innovation that sits within some of those companies, and the great quality of product that New Zealand companies produce.”

Fine Food NZ is packed with new and substantially expanded features, including the Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Zone, added in response to increased demand for more ‘free from’ products, TopShelf, a massive trade festival dedicated to wine, beer, premium spirits, and craft drinks, and Artisan Alley, a popular feature that’s all about small-batch, handmade, and traditional goods.

Like competitions? Check out Barista Smackdown, a knockout event that will pit baristas against one another over three days of action to crown the Smackdown Champion. Visit the Baking Industry of NZ (BIANZ) baking feature area for demonstrations, master classes, live bake-offs, and competitions, including the New Zealand Bakery of the Year Competition. And the NZ Chefs Association will be providing chef skill workshops and fun competitions, including a ‘ready, steady, cook’ with mystery ingredients.

The 2016 show will see the launch of the prestigious new Fine Food NZ Innovation Awards, which are designed to recognise real innovation by companies in the food, beverage, packaging, equipment, and other relevant sectors. Award categories include Most Innovative Retail Grocery Product, Most Innovative Artisan Product, Most Innovative Foodservice Product, Most Innovative New Equipment, and an overall Champion of Innovation Award sponsored by intellectual property specialists James & Wells.

And check out free business seminars from leading organisations, including the Ministry for Primary Industries, Worksafe NZ, James & Wells, and NZTE.

Remember: this major event only happens once every two years – can you afford not to be there? Register for free entry now at register.finefoodnz.co.nz.