ANOTHER BITE OF SUCCESS FOR NZ HERO MUNCH 'Useful, beautiful and green' New Zealand company Munch is making waves here and abroad with a high quality and innovative approach to business that is also educating the next generation in sustainability and ecological impact. Munch is an eco-friendly social enterprise company established just three years ago that produces high quality eco products for the family. Its outstanding performance and fresh way of looking at business is not only turning heads in New Zealand and throughout the world, but has also secured it the monthly Hero Award for August from the Buy NZ Made Campaign. The company has quite a story to tell even after three years, with its products having made it into the goody bags at the Emmy Awards last year and winning the prestigious International Gourmand Cookbook Award for best kids cookbook. It also recently secured the Best Eco Friendly Company award at the largest Australian Health and Eco Trade Show!
Innovation and a different way of doing things have been the main drivers for success, but a focus on brand New Zealand has also had a positive effect. One innovative approach by Munch is to have ‘issue based products’. There are no issues with the products or what is in them of course, the point is that they are trying to raise awareness and discussion around specific issues. For example Munch's litter-less lunch wraps help encourage kids to have ‘waste free’ lunchboxes and deal simply with the issues around the damage to the environment that plastic causes. An 'Eco Hero' kids range of products also send the right messages at a very early age. It's a great philosophy, it's different and reflects a refreshingly modern approach to business. "Even though Munch grew out of my hobbies, values and love, I always wanted it to grow into an enterprise that everyone involved could be proud of," explained founder Anna Bordignon. "Part of that was to be an enterprise that could do things in a different way, for example with the types of products we offer, the type of workforce we have and our general approach to business. We want Munch to become an iconic genuine global NZ brand and we have one little toe in the water, but we still a long way to go before we are truly there." "I love NZ and feel very proud to be a NZ’er. If we can have our products made in NZ then we are supporting our ‘backyard’ and what a great place to support. For example our beeswax wrap products are made by mothers in their homes who often find it difficult to obtain work. We practice the traditional Outwork Model right here in NZ and sell this type of product globally. "The products that we make also attempt to use all natural and biodegradable components. If they are not, at least they are reusable. Many of our products have no waste such as our beeswax wraps where the off cuts can even be used as Organic Fire Starters. "Unfortunately some consumers will not pay that extra bit more for a NZ made product, if they can buy it cheaper from overseas. We cannot compete with that and don't believe that is the right way forward anyway so what we do produce must be of high quality, genuine, honest and ethical to enable the value to shine through." As a winning monthly Hero, Munch receives a certificate, promotion on the Buy NZ Made website, promotion in target media, Hero artwork which they can use in their own marketing, a social media advertising voucher worth $100 to be used on the Buy NZ Made social media channels and automatic entry into the annual competition where the 12 monthly winners will be voted on by the public for the Ultimate Hero Award.