Facilitating food innovation in New Zealand
The FOODBOWL was established to support and encourage New Zealand food companies to develop new products and expand into new markets as part of a government drive to increase exports.
The FOODBOWL
The FOODBOWL is a large export-accredited food-processing facility designed to support and encourage the development of new food and beverage products and help companies expand into export markets.
Potential for growth in New Zealand food exports
The food industry makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy through export earnings. Traditionally, New Zealand food companies have exported a lot of primary products, which are further processed in overseas markets before being sold to consumers.
There is considerable potential for companies to earn more from food exports by developing higher-value products in New Zealand. Innovation is needed to develop new product ideas that meet ever-changing consumer demands and are competitive and sustainable in global markets.
New Zealand food companies face unique challenges
New Zealand’s relatively small population and distance from overseas markets present unique challenges for food companies developing products for export.
Challenges for innovation in NZ food and beverage
New Zealand food companies face unique challenges developing products for export due to our small population and geographic location. Brian Astridge of The FOODBOWL explains three key challenges: food safety, scaling up and shelf life.
Further discussion
Discuss what is unique about these three challenges for the New Zealand context. In what ways are the challenges different than they might be for other countries?
How does innovation help to overcome these challenges and contribute to success in overseas markets? How would you define an innovative food product? What elements might characterise an innovative food product?
Discuss contemporary trends and drivers in the food industry globally. How might these impact on new product development in the future? In groups, research a new product idea for a particular target market. Prepare a presentation to pitch and justify the viability of your idea to The FOODBOWL.
It takes a long time to ship products overseas, which means food products need a longer shelf life so that they remain safe well beyond their shipping time.
Most New Zealand food companies are small and can’t compete with the scale of large global companies. Companies need to create niche market products that open up new overseas markets.
Scaling up new product ideas to commercial scale is challenging and risky, particularly for smaller companies that don’t have large production capability or the capital to invest.
Understanding and completing the food safety and compliance documentation required in different markets is complex.
The FOODBOWL is designed to facilitate innovation
The FOODBOWL, located close to Auckland airport, has been established to help New Zealand food and beverage companies overcome these challenges and to facilitate innovation. It’s a food-safe export-accredited facility designed to support and encourage companies to develop new food and beverage products.
The FOODBOWL story
This video story explores how The FOODBOWL and the wider New Zealand Food Innovation Network facilitate food innovation in New Zealand. Angus Brown, Business Development Manager, and Brian Astridge, Operations Manager at The FOODBOWL explain how they support clients to develop new product ideas and expand into new markets. Chris Cullen, owner-operator of Culley’s, provides a client’s perspective on how The FOODBOWL helped him expand his hot sauce business.
Key questions
The FOODBOWL has significant government funding – why has it been established?
Why is innovation important for growth in the New Zealand food industry?
How does The FOODBOWL support and enable innovation?
Follow-up activities
Identify and list all the resources available through The FOODBOWL. Group these into types of resources – physical, human and environment – and explain how these resources can help companies to innovate.
Angus makes the point: “New Zealand cannot supply or feed the world. We can only feed the premium, and we should be up there in making the best and most innovative food products for the future.” Explain what this statement means. Do you agree? What are the implications for people working in the New Zealand food industry?
Jargon alert
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point): HACCP is an internationally recognised tool for food manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe to eat. The system includes planning, monitoring and keeping records to verify the safe production of the food product.
Access to state-of-the-art facilities
The FOODBOWL is a physical hub that contains seven multipurpose food production suites and commercial-scale processing equipment, including the latest technology, such as high-pressure processing and a freeze-drying unit.
Any food company – from small start-ups to large companies – can hire The FOODBOWL spaces and equipment. This allows them to develop new products or processes, scale up production of new or existing products and validate products in the market before deciding whether to invest large amounts of capital in their own facilities.
The FOODBOWL facilities
Angus Brown discusses the physical facilities and equipment available at The FOODBOWL. The facility is designed to support and encourage food companies to develop new products and expand into new markets.
Food industry advice and mentoring
Staff at The FOODBOWL have a range of expertise in the food and beverage industry and are available to support and guide clients in developing new products and processes and increasing production. Staff can guide clients in areas such as food safety regulations and documentation for their product, standards and compliance documentation required for different markets, as well as advice on processing and using the specialist equipment.
Part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network
The FOODBOWL is one of four food hubs across New Zealand that together offer a complementary suite of services to support the food industry, and they all form part of the New Zealand Food Innovation Network.
The New Zealand Food Innovation Network is a virtual network of all the different capability providers within the industry. It includes universities, Crown research institutes, ingredient and equipment suppliers and experts in packaging, marketing, export and sales, as well as regulatory entities such as the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which oversees New Zealand food safety standards.
Facilitating access to a network of experts
In addition to their own knowledge and experience in the industry, staff at The FOODBOWL maintain links with all the organisations in the New Zealand Food Innovation Network and can facilitate access to this broader range of expertise for their clients.
Facilitating access to this national network of experts ensures food companies are exposed to the latest science research and new technologies, as well as knowledge of international market opportunities and experience and skills in business development and commercialisation. This networked approach reduces barriers and risk and speeds up the pathway to market.
Related content
Read about how Culley's, a small hot sauce company, expanded their company to supply national and export markets, using The FOODBOWL facilities.
Useful link
Find out more about The FOODBOWL and the broader food innovation network on the New Zealand Food Innovation Network website.
See the Heart Foundation's resource that outlines the different stages of the food technology process. It helps students identify the need for a new food product through idea generation to evaluation.
