Annies: A Finalist in the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards - Sustainability Category

Annies: A Finalist in the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards - Sustainability Category

We are thrilled to announce that Annies has been named a finalist in the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards under the Sustainability category. This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainability and innovation, alongside our supplier, New Zealand Apple Products, to continue supporting local growers.

The Challenge: Nelson, once a hub for processing thousands of tonnes of rejected apples into apple puree, faced a critical challenge when ENZA Foods moved its operations to Hastings. This shift jeopardised the viability for us to source New Zealand apple puree and introduced significant cost constraints due to increased freight and logistics. Previous practices of importing from Eastern Europe posed quality issues and added immense carbon miles, significantly impacting our environmental footprint.

Our Solution: Annies partnered with New Zealand Apple Products, a Motueka-based orchard company to address these challenges. Together, we invested in state-of-the-art equipment to pulp locally sourced apples from nearby orchards. Rigorous trials were conducted to ensure the highest quality of pulp, and we introduced backloading of puree drums for reuse, further reducing waste.

The Result: This collaboration has revolutionised our supply chain. Our apple pulp now travels a short distance from Nelson to Blenheim, dramatically reducing food miles and supporting local growers and manufacturers. This local production not only prevents the dumping of excess process-grade fruit but also ensures a more reliable and high-quality supply compared to imported products. It's a shining example of Kiwis working together to leverage regional resources and significantly lower our environmental impact.

Being a finalist in the Sustainability category of the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards is a testament to our dedication to sustainable practices and our innovative approach to problem-solving.