Foodstuffs North Island invites emerging suppliers to register for nationwide forum to set up for supermarket success
06 March 2024
Last year's Emerge Small Supplier winners, Herbivore
Foodstuffs North Island in partnership with The New Zealand Food Innovation Network are introducing a new series of nationwide forums to help emerging grocery suppliers set themselves up for supermarket success, hosting 14 events across New Zealand from March to September.
As part of the forums, the co-op will partner with regional business development agencies and industry specialists to provide a range of support to small businesses. The New Zealand Food Innovation Network will provide a focus on supporting product formulation, manufacturing, scaling, compliance - and the business development agencies will bring a network of local support to enable small businesses to thrive.
The forums, which kick off at The Foodbowl in Māngere Auckland on 5 March, will have a team of Foodstuffs experts on hand to share their experiences and insights into supplying products to their more than 300 PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square stores across the North Island.
Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Manager, Rachel Prenty
Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Manager, Rachel Prenty, says “the forums have been developed as a way to connect with suppliers at the start of their growth journey, sharing crucial insights on how to scale up their business for supermarket supply. The overall objective is help take emerging suppliers through this process, which we know can feel challenging when you’re standing at the starting line”.
“If the ultimate goal is to make it onto supermarket shelves, then considerations like having a robust supply chain, sustainable operations, as well as how supermarket distribution works and what customers are looking for can be incredibly helpful” she adds.
Foodstuffs North Island also supports emerging suppliers through events like Emerge, Foodstuffs’ Emerging Supplier Competition, and with resources like their Supplier handbook.
Last year’s Foodstuffs Emerge winners were Solid, a sustainable plastic free toothpaste in a jar and toothpaste tablets and Herbivore, a premium plant-based butter made from natural coconut, both winners have received dedicated resources and support to help with the next stage of their expansion.
Last year's Emerge Start-Up winners, Solid
Rachel says for many small businesses, having that guidance when they’re at the early stages of establishing themselves helps set them up for success and inform decision making about the future.
“These forums will serve as a way for small business in the same regions to build a network of support and we encourage any supplier at any stage of their business to head along to a local event,” she says.
To register, visit Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Forum registration page.
Event Details
Forum |
Date |
Timing |
Location |
Auckland |
5th March |
10am to 12pm |
Foodbowl, 28 Verissimo Drive, Mangere |
Waikato |
21st March |
2pm to 4pm |
Waikato Innovation Park, 1 Melody Lane, Hamilton East, Hamilton |
Tauranga |
22nd March |
10am to 12pm |
The Atrium Café and Conference Centre, 252 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga |
Whangarei |
29th April |
10am to 12pm |
The Orchard Business and Event Hub, 35 Walton Street, Whangārei |
Kaikohe |
29th April |
2pm to 4pm |
Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park, 5449A State Highway 12, Kaikohe |
New Plymouth |
7th May |
1pm to 3pm |
The Devon Hotel, 390 Devon Street East, Strandon, New Plymouth |
Wellington |
11th June |
9.30am to 11.30am |
Wharewaka Function Centre, Taranaki Wharf, 2 Taranaki Street, Waterfront, Wellington |
Wairarapa |
11th June |
2pm to 4pm |
The White Swan, 109 Main Street, Greytown |
Kapiti |
12th June |
10am to 12pm |
Southward Car Museum, Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga, Paraparaumu |
Queenstown |
27th August |
1pm to 3pm |
The Buzzstop Honey Centre & Cafe, 26 Hansen Road, Frankton, Queenstown |
Nelson |
28th August |
1pm to 3pm |
Mahitahi Colab, 322 Hardy Street, Nelson |
Christchurch |
29th August |
1pm to 3pm |
ChristchurchNZ, BNZ Centre, Level 3, 101 Cashel Street, Christchurch |
Tairawhiti |
11th September |
10am to 12pm |
Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, 280E Grey Street, Awapuni, Gisborne |
Hawkes Bay |
12th September |
10am to 12pm |
Foodeast - Haumoko, 4 Hanui Road, Tomoana, Hastings, Hawke's Bay |