April 16, 2021
Kumara smoothie drop firm picks up big small prize
Māori superfood producer Kaitahi As One has taken out this year's FoodStarter Small Suppliers award.
The win gives the Whanganui-based firm manufacturing and production support, business mentorship, a branding and marketing deal with Strategy Creative, use of a workspace at Auckland creator hub GridMNK, and the chance to put its smoothie drops into the New World supermarkets around the country,
Project leader Arohaina Owen says it was up against 217 other companies.
"We had to do a five minute pressure cooker pitch and talk about our story and most importantly our product and we came out winners so we have had hardly any sleep and we are in Auckland at the moment and still really buzzing about this amazing opportunity that has turned up for us at the right time," she says.
Kaitahi As One uses taonga species such as kūmara, pūhā, kawakawa and rewarewa honey as well as fruits, greens, and seeds to make small smoothie drops, which can be blended into a beverage.
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