Plant-based bubble bursts
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird Ventures, and its products are no longer available in supermarkets.
Sales growth of liquid milk and yogurt alternatives - especially oat - have not gone unnoticed.
Some global dairy companies, like Danone, are now selling billions of dollars worth of dairy milk alternatives annually.
In New Zealand, the growth has been slow but one company - Otis Oat Milk - has grown into a brand now stocked nationwide.
A freshly-inked deal with Countdown will put Otis, New Zealand's first homegrown oat 'milk' on the shelves at the supermarket giant's stores around the country.
Otis is also encouraging farmers to grow oats and will put 1% of its total sales towards projects that make oats a "viable and exciting farming alternative".
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.