Zero Sugar

THE TEAM AT VIBE

VIBE IS DIABETES NZ’S NEWEST CHAMPION SPONSOR

VIBE, a company bringing delicious sugar-free drinks to schools and other outlets, has entered into an exciting partnership with Diabetes NZ.

STEFAN CROOKS

Limiting sugar intake is pivotal to improving health outcomes in our community, reducing the risk of obesity, type two diabetes, and ultimately the longterm complications that can develop later in life.

Heather Verry, Diabetes NZ CEO, has welcomed VIBE to the organisation’s elite group of Champion Sponsors. It’s a very positive move toward increasing awareness of the importance of reducing consumption of sugar in beverages. She noted that limiting sugar intake is pivotal to improving health outcomes in the community, reducing the risk of obesity, type two diabetes, and ultimately the longterm complications that can develop later in life.

“We’re delighted to be working with Diabetes NZ. I have type two diabetes myself, so it’s important to me that all the ingredients used have been signed off by Diabetes NZ,” said Stefan Crooks, managing director of VIBE.

VIBE was born from a conversation about improving the products their existing school food supply business offered. ‘VIBE was created to provide a great-tasting alternative to sugary drinks – one that allows kids to enjoy a carbonated drink full of flavour but with zero sugar.’

As VIBE is now available at schools across New Zealand, “it allows for strong opportunities to educate school principals on the importance of nutrition intervention, as they have the power to influence children’s knowledge and behaviour,” said Verry.

The New Zealand Health Survey 2018/2019 found that approximately one in nine children (aged two to 14) were obese, with an overrepresentation in Māori and Pacific communities.

“Today’s consumers are looking for products like VIBE that support their emotional, indulgent, and physical health needs, ranging from relaxation to hydration. They want less sugar – no question. But they also don’t want to sacrifice taste,” said Crooks.

VIBE concentrates on the quality of its natural flavours, which are made from New Zealand ingredients.

“Consumers are not only demanding functional drinks that don’t compromise on taste, they’re also looking for companies that adhere to a sustainable ethos. “That’s why there’s no plastic used on VIBE products. Our clear can design and branding highlights the aluminiumcan packaging and encourages recycling.”

Diabetes NZ is looking forward to extending the messaging about good nutrition