THE WHOLE MIX SPIRALISED VEGETABLE NOODLES TRIUMPH AT 2018 NZ FOOD AWARDS

We also won the Massey University Health and Wellbeing Award and the James & Wells Business Innovation Award for our noodle range that includes Zucchini, Butternut, Medley (Beetroot, Carrot, Zucchini) and Kumara. Judges said the products are a tasty and nutritious alternative to pasta, can be used in stir-fries and salads, or eaten straight from the package and their growing popularity reflects some of the changing tastes of New Zealand consumers.

The collective team of judges say the vegetable noodle range rides the wave of market demand for easy to serve fresh vegetables, with a twist. “These prepacked, spiralised, microwaveable vegetable noodles, prepared from locally-grown vegetables, are delicious, nutritious and fill a much-needed gap in the fresh vegetable market. Consumers are crying out for fresh products they can cook or prepare quickly and easily.

The judges especially loved that the vegetable noodles are so versatile, and can be served up raw to spice up a salad, or microwaved to offer additional nutritional vegetable options for busy Kiwis. “This product demonstrates innovation, creativity and tasty NZ grown produce. Well done to the team at The Whole Mix Co. Limited,” they said.

Head of James & Wells’ Food & Beverage Innovation team Carrick Robinson says, “The Whole Mix Co. Limited have listened to their consumers and have followed healthy eating and convenience trends to considerably grow the category.

Our vision is to create fresh food to make people’s lives healthier and easier and this is just the beginning of our journey – watch this space for more innovation.

The awards, which have been running since 1987, celebrate creative innovation from New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturers. More than 220 products were entered this year, with 67 products from 54 companies being named finalists.