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20 THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC E
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The World Food Programme has described 2022 as a year of unprecedented hunger. Conflict, COVID, the climate crisis and rising costs have combined to create jeopardy for up to 828 million hungry people across the world. To avert a hunger catastrophe, private citizens, businesses, and governments need to step up and work together. tania@reviewmags.com lectric vehicles (EVs) have overhauled the manufacturingautomobile process and are a clean and effective solution set to revolutionise the logistics industry.
TECHNOLOGY launched to facilitate the connection between food and beverage suppliers of technology, ingredients and packaging across the food and beverage manufacturing sectors for fmcg and foodservice. Copyright 2022
editors note
August/September 2022 I 3
PUBLISHER Tania Walters Mitchell Sarah Mitchell Caitlan Wei ISSN No. 2744-3566 (ONLINE) - 2744-5895 (PRINT)
Mitchell SENIOR EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Sophie Procter ADVERTISING SALES info@reviewmags.com SENIOR DESIGNER Raymund Sarmiento GRAPHIC DESIGNER Debby
contents
groceryfood & COUNCIL OUR PARTNERS: Retail 6, Heards Bldg, 2 Ruskin St, Parnell, Auckland. PO Box 37140 Parnell, Auckland Tel (09) 3040142 Email: edit@reviewmags.com Tania Walters tania@reviewmags.comPublisher
EDITOR
Electric vehicles in logistics are versatile and suitable for many types of freight transportation and parcel delivery. EVs prove incredibly effective for lastmile delivery due to their high manoeuvrability and small carbon footprint. They also promote pollution-free circulation, cut back considerably on carbon emissions and are valuable for compact city centres, urban spaces, and indoor spaces.EVs also can create significant additional value for companies by promoting ongoing savings in operation maintenance, improvingand delivery services’ routing efficiencies and providing the opportunity to build upon the services’ brand. In this issue we touch base with the Kiwi EV scene to see which companies are embracing the transition to electric. World Food Day is coming up next month, the perfect opportunity to evaluate the current global food crisis, the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and what businesses need to do to ensure a continuing and robust food supply chain.
GENERAL MANAGER Kieran
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raditionally, logistics companies have relied on vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) as the primary choice for delivery vans and trucks. However, these vehicles release additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, considerably reduce air quality and are expensive to maintain. Businesses have begun to embrace using electric vehicles (EVs) for delivery. EVs have proven to be a worthwhile investment as both the logistics industry and electric mobility have become increasingly related. Government subsidies and various economic factors have contributed considerably to companies’ use of sustainable vehicles for transporting freight, goods and Sustainabilitypackages.isthe need of the hour, while it is also important to balance other aspects of business such as people and profit. This is where the use of electric vehicles and alternative fuels steps in.
T
The Electric Era IS HERE
There are several factors promoting the use of EVs around theLargeworld:organisations and businesses have committed and pledged to reduce their carbon footprints Government subsidies have been made available to reduce the acquisition costs of EVs
The high variability of oil prices now comes with a long-term costTherisktotal cost of ownership of EVs has almost reaches parity with diesel vehicles used for logistics and transportation As EVs grow in popularity, many countries have considered entering into the electric vehicle supply chain. Nations with key global markets such as England and China are adopting EVs as a more energy-efficient transportation and on-road delivery method. The electric vehicles’ share of the automobile market continues to expand as production facilities boom worldwide. What consumers want to know, however, is if an uptick in the use of EVs will mean lower costs for them. Because consumers ultimately want to save the money in their pockets as much as they want to save the planet.
electricvehicle
Both transportation and logistics are advancing rapidly with more companies directing their focus on the vehicles they use for deliveries and how they can improve upon their efficiency.
August/September 2022 I 7
In terms of performance, range anxiety was a perceived barrier to overcome for rural drivers before the project began. A big impact on van performance in the rural areas is the constant stopping of the vehicles, however they still achieved a good range of 4.7 Km- 5.3 Km per kWh. In the operational environment, the necessary range was being achieved even with the delivery loads. The newer e-Vans have a greater range of 200-330km, which is what NZ Post are looking at moving into post the project. Since it started, NZ Post has commenced other complementary projects including a study on charger impact, piloting EVs in rural areas, and a commitment to pilot EVs in their owned fleet. Fonterra New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker, Milk-E, was launched by the Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon. Dr Megan Woods, in July this year. Local Government, Iwi, Industry and Fonterra employees were also present to recognise the significant milestone in the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s heavy transport, while also recognising the team behind the build.
The company has committed to reducing their carbon impact and has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent by 2030, compared to 2018. They’re also a Toitū carbon reduce certified organisation, which means they’ve measured and managed the operational emissions of their organisation. NZ Post generated close to 118,000 tonnes of CO2e in FY18, and ground transport produced approximately 50,000 tC02e of those emissions.
More Kiwi companies are turning to EVs as part of their transition to a zero-carbon emission future. NZ Post NZ Post is the one of the largest and longest standing companies in New Zealand – having been around for 170 years. Their vehicle fleet is the largest asset in their mission, meeting Kiwis’ ‘mailing needs both physically and digitally’. In an urban and rural environment, the fleet of NZ Post and their contractors and partners is significantly reliant on diesel and petrol vehicles.
The vans were trialled in both urban and rural delivery networks and were demonstrated throughout New Zealand to maximise exposure to drivers from all over the country. Urban route drivers typically travelled 80–100 km per day, with routes maxing out at 150km in the rural setting.Sixmonths of trialling proved the electric vans to be both economic and practical options for NZ PostVehicle-basedfleets. emissions reduced by approximately 90 percent, and drivers saw an 80% percent reduction in fuel costs and a 50 percent reduction in maintenance costs.
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“Right across the Co-op our teams are constantly looking at how we can decrease our emissions – from on farm, to at our sites and throughout our transport network,” said Chief Operating Officer, Fraser Whineray.
The Warehouse Group expanded its electric vehicle fleet to include custom EV trucks to service home deliveries in April last year.
electricvehicle W
Fonterra received co-funding from the Government’s Low Emissions Transport Fund (LEFT), which is administered by EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority).
In New Zealand, the Climate Change Commission has recommended phasing out imports of fossilfueled cars by no later than 2035.
There are around 1500 vehicles in NZ Post’s contractor fleet, of which 600 are in the Rural Post contracted fleet. With such a large fleet, NZ Post’s business model heavily relies on the capabilities and range of their delivery fleet. As part of their commitment to reducing emissions, with support from EECA’s Low Emissions Vehicle Contestable Fund (now known as the Low Emission Transport Fund), NZ Post trialled eight electric vans in their courier fleet during 2018 and 2019.
“The team here at our Morrinsville Workshop have done a fantastic job of pulling this tanker together. Being a New Zealand first, there’s been a lot of creative thinking and Kiwi ingenuity to bring Milk-E to life.”
The Warehouse Group
“We’re pleased to see this project come to life. New Zealand has ambitious targets to rapidly reduce carbon emissions, and transport is key, but heavy freight has proven hard to decarbonise. If successful, this project could be replicated across a number of New Zealand businesses,» said EECA Group Manager Investment and Engagement, Nicki Sutherland.
THE KIWI EV SCENE
Named by Fonterra farmer Stephen Todd from Murchison, Milk-E is part of Fonterra’s fleet decarbonisation work, which is one of a number of programmes that are helping the Co-op towards becoming a leader in sustainability.
ith governments worldwide setting stricter fuel efficiency standards, vehicle manufacturers offering more electric and hybrid models, and some swearing off fossil-fueled vehicles for good, the tide is turning.
August/September 2022 I 9
“As one of New Zealand’s largest retailers, we recognise that we have a crucial role to play, but we cannot do it alone. The deployment of decarbonisation solutions requires collaboration between a wide group of stakeholders to make them economically viable and operationally successful. The introduction of our EV truck fleet is a perfect demonstration of what can be achieved with partner collaboration” Ports of Auckland Ports of Auckland welcomed Sparky, the world›s first full-sized electric tug boat, to Tāmaki Makaurau in June this year. «Welcoming Sparky is an exciting day for us at the port,» said Roger Gray CEO of Ports of Auckland.«Sparky is the first e-tug of its type in the world and was a truly innovative project for us. Her arrival marks a big step towards the ports› decarbonisation of operations and towards our long-term emissions reduction goals.”
In 2019, Ports of Auckland signed a contract with Dutch maritime manufacturer Damen Shipyards to purchase the fully-electric tugboat. This move was part of the ports’ larger plans to become emissions-free by 2040. According to the Ports of Auckland, the new electric tugboat is expected to complete as many as four shipping moves on a single charge and can replenish its batteries in about two hours. By going electric, the Ports of Auckland expects ol’ Sparky to save around 465 tons of CO2 emissions each year and the expected cost of operating the tug is less than a third of the cost of a diesel equivalent. Alsco NZ Textile rental service provider Alsco NZ added an electric freighter to its fleet – a New Zealand first. It travels 286km a day and is seeking to prove that electric heavy freight is not only possible but good for profitability as well. The project received co-funding from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. Alsco’s 15 diesel heavy freighters account for a third of the company’s entire fleet fuel use.
With this in mind, Alsco decided to push the boundaries and trial an electric heavy freighter –the first of its kind in New Zealand. Success with an EV freighter wouldn’t just put Alsco at the front-end of technology – it would give them the confidence to invest in more in the future, ultimately helping reach the company’s sustainability goals. The team at Alsco did their research to make sure an EV freighter was the right course of action.“We wanted to come up with not only a strong planet initiative, but one that also delivered a more immediate business case,” said Alsco Group General Manager, Mark Roberts.
Customer deliveries for whiteware, general appliances and larger items located in a 220km roundtrip radius from the distribution centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Christchurch have been delivered using the EV. The acquisition of the EV trucks was an investment in the Group›s ongoing transition to EV, which is an integral part of supporting the country›s efforts to decarbonise the economy. «Moving goods to our customers is an essential part of our operations, and decarbonising our transport and logistics is one of our business priorities,” noted The Warehouse Group Chief Sustainability Officer, David Benattar.
“The more we started to investigate the possibilities, the more the business case began to make sense. The heavy EV freighter seemed to provide an enticing financial case right from the outset.”Gavin Smith, Business and Product Development Manager said the freighter has performed well generally, comfortably moving up to 18 net tonnes each way. The company is also investigating other electric options. Alsco has three SEA E4V electric vans now operating in Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington, and hopes to find an electric solution for the traditional walk-through delivery vehicle.
Watch the webinar for free here.
NAVIGATING EV CHARGING TECHNOLOGY
Called the ABB Terra 360, it is the world’s fastest EV charger on the market, it offers 100 km of range in less than 3 minutes, and has the ability to charge up to four vehicles simultaneously. The brand new design makes it more ergonomic and modern. With its eye-catching design and intuitive user interface, the Terra 360 provides the end user an exceptional charging experience. To coincide with the release of the ABB Terra 360, the company also shared a webinar: Navigating EV Charging Technology. Wim Elshout, Global E-Mobility Lead at ABB, presented the webinar which covered safety and compliance standards, starting the journey to e-mobility, how to decide on AC vs DC charging, load management, and digital technology.
electricvehicle
Leading global technology company, ABB, launched the world’s fastest EV charger in New Zealand in July this year.
August/September 2022 I 11
Chief Executive, Karl Gradon, said Miraka currently has around 100 farmer suppliers and is actively looking to increase its milk supply base to meet demand from customers across its 17 international markets. Read more here
Westland said the new plant had been operating since last year, but Covid restrictions had thwarted the launch. The upgrade doubles the firm’s consumer butter production to a total of 42,000 tonnes a year. Read more here
The Port of Napier is officially opening its new wharf extension, in what it describes as a game-changing and future-proofing development. The new wharf, to be known formally as Te Whiti, is designed to take bigger container vessels and cruise ships, allowing the port to handle more cargo, and in contrast to the delays and disruptions that afflict most projects the wharf has been built six months ahead of schedule and at the lower end of the $173-$179 million budget. Read more here
12 I fbtech.co.nz from the headlines NEW BUTTER PLANT FOR WESTLAND MILK GOVERNMENT OPENS
The Government has invested $7.7 million in a research innovation hub. The new facility named Te Pā Harakeke Flexible Labs comprises 560 square metres of new laboratory space for research staff and is based at Callaghan Innovation’s Gracefield Innovation Quarter site in Lower Hutt. “Constructing new research facilities is part of a broader plan to improve the opportunities for researchers and industry alike to freely collaborate and make the most of skills and technologies we have available across Aotearoa New Zealand.” Read more here
Local Growth
Taupō based dairy processor, Miraka, which uses geothermal energy and has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world, is looking for 40 new farmer suppliers to meet growing demand for its low carbon footprint products.
Despite ongoing issues due to the COVID pandemic and rise in inflation, new openings and opportunities are still popping up all over the country.
– NEW OPENINGS
NAPIER PORT EXTENSION OFFICIALLY OPENS
GLOBAL DEMAND LEADS TO SEARCH FOR NEW SUPPLIERS
NEW RESEARCH AND INNOVATION HUB
OPPORTUNITIESAND
Westland Milk Products has officially opened its new butter plant in Hokitika, the culmination of Project Goldrush — a $40 million plan to double capacity of its consumer butter manufacturing facility. It also announced a $40 million improvement in profit.
August/September 2022 I 13 09 579 1990 sales@eurotec.co.nz www.eurotec.co.nz HACCP Certified measurement technology for better food quality. The Testo Saveris 2 WiFi data logging system takes the task of manual temperature checks off your hands. Ensure quality and complianceReceivetxt&emailalertswhentemperatureviolationsoccur.Accessreadingsanywhereatanytime!ShopTestoinstruments online at www.testo.nz
They can: • have major emotional and economic effects on the parties, their families and in some cases, on society significantly harm the relationships of those bargaining. Strikes and lockouts are also lawful where those striking or locking out have reasonable grounds for believing health or safety is being compromised.
LOCKOUTS Employers lockout employees when they close, suspend, or discontinue their business or a part of it, break some or all of an employee’s employment agreement, don’t give them work they would usually give them, or suspend employees. To be a lockout, this action must be done to try to make
STRIKES Employees strike when several employees totally or partially: break their employment agreement stop work or don’t accept some or all the work they usually do • reduce their normal output, performance, or rate of work.
fromthe headlines
•
Strikes and lockouts are legitimate actions used by parties to advance their bargaining aims. These actions can have a significant impact on both parties and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
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•
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Employees don’t have to stop work completely for them to be onTostrike.bea strike the action must be part of a combination, agreement, common understanding, or joint action made or done by the employees. Employees can do this action to try to make their employer give in to their demands. Employers can’t discriminate against employees for taking part in a lawful strike.
• less than 40 days have passed since the bargaining was initiated
August/September 2022 I 15 their employees, (or to help another employer make their employees), accept terms of employment or comply with their demands. Employers may also lock out on health and safety grounds.
If a strike or lockout isn’t legal, a party can apply to the Employment Court for an injunction to stop it or to sue for loss caused by the strike or lockout.
For more information about strikes and lockouts, visit www. employment.govt.nz
When employees can legally strike or be locked out
Employees can only legally strike or be locked out for health and safety reasons or in relation to collective bargaining if they will be bound by the collective agreement being bargained for.
• there is a current collective agreement • it relates to including a bargaining fee clause in the collective agreement • it relates to a personal grievance
For example, loss of work or hours which has affected a contract and impacted on the earnings of a business. A party trying to stop the strike or lockout often applies for an interim injunction first because of the tight timeframes involved.
Employees can’t go on strike or be locked out if:
If a strike or lockout is legal (and the right notice has been given), it can’t be stopped by a court order. Strikes and lockouts related to collective bargaining may be legal: • if they relate to bargaining for a single-party or multi-party collective agreement; and at least 1 of the employees’ existing collective agreements has expired; and the parties began bargaining at least 40 days earlier; or • where part of a collective agreement is illegal, and the Employment Court has made an order suspending that part • if it is in an essential service (specified in Schedule 1 of the Employment Relations Act) but only if the requirements for notice have been met.
• it relates to freedom of association • it is in an essential service and the right notice hasn’t been given • it is against a court order.
• it relates to a dispute
TIPS MakeGOINGFORGREEN:itRefillable
Tips to keep in mind
he slogan ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ came to prominence in the late 70s, purportedly at the time the United States Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to increase recycling and conservation efforts as waste became a bigger issue.Now, the world is rallying against the glut of plastic polluting our oceans and waterways, with regulations in the EU and UK placing the onus on the producer to increase recycling rates and recycled content while reducing single-use plastics and creating less waste.Sustainability is an issue for many consumers, with nearly 80 percent stating they are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging to please a positive legacy for future generations. As the desire to make a difference grows, brands need to evolve their packaging and even their marketing strategies to keep up with rising consumer sentiment.
sustainablepackaging
‘Use again’ is a concept modern consumers are embracing, evident in the number of retailers making the switch to more sustainable alternatives.InScotland, Asda has introduced its first refill store where consumers can fill up on WHEN SWITCHING TO SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING
an extensive range of branded and own-brand products in loose format as part of its drive to reduce plastic. The supermarket has partnered with a host of the UKs most popular household brands like Kellogg and Nestle to introduce the unpackaged goods within specific aisles of its store In Glasgow.Hereat home, The New World supermarket chain has launched a new refilling system to update the traditional self-serve bulk foods shopping experience. Called CareFillery, the bulk food ‘hubs’ are being rolled out in stores across the North Island, starting with New World Pukekohe and New World New Plymouth. Category manager grocery at T
As climate change makes itself felt like it never has before and driven by atodaypackagingbiggestpoliticalperceptionconsumerandpressure,thetrendsintheindustryrevolvearoundcirculareconomy.
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Foodstuffs North Island, Sally Williams, said they have been designed and researched “to reflect the changing needs of today’s more health and environmentally conscious New Zealanders”. She cited research showing that 69 percent of Kiwis are looking to reduce how much food they waste, and 67 percent agree they want to reduce their packaging waste.
Reduce and Remove
ThinkingOut-of-the-Box
From separability to cleanliness, labelling and colouration, in order to be recycled, post-consumer packaging has to fulfil a long list of requirements. So, keep in mind the recycling infrastructure when designing your packaging. Designing for recycling is becoming more imperative to future-proof a business, however, you must ensure recyclability equals actual recycling – preferable in a closed-loop system.
Get your customers on board with your brand messaging – focus on the function of the packaging and how it has been changed to benefit diverse environmental impacts.Brands that communicate and educate their fans on how to responsibly use and dispose of packaging are on the right track. By incorporating online experience through QR codes, for example, businesses will be able to easily provide content and information to their customers.
While reducing and ultimately removing packaging is a win-win situation for both people and the planet, the purpose of the packaging must also be considered when assessing its environmental impact. If the packaging fails to fulfil its primary purpose of safeguarding the product’s quality, the product may spoil, be damaged and go to waste –leading to a greater impact on the environment than the packaging alone.Businesses may need to adopt a new mindset to work within the limits of reduced packaging –such as a shorter product shelflife. Communicate with your consumers about what you are doing and why, they will soon be on the same page, realising the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
August/September 2022 I 17
Design for Recycling
Think outside the box to upgrade your packaging, such as transforming custom boxes into an augmented experience, A.I or digital game. Some of these include 3D rendering of packaging artwork and interactive tours, allowing customers to interact with packaging in unique ways. It is important to be an early adapter to emerging trends, particularly as packaging is an essential component of your customer’s journey and experience with your brand.
Shout MessageSustainabilityYour
18 I fbtech.co.nz wasterecycling
Large amounts of valuable resources are lost to landfill. This represents lost resources and businessRubbishopportunities.endingupin landfills is also contributing to our carbon emissions. In 2019, the waste sector contributed around 4 percent of our total greenhouse gas emissions and around 9 percent of biogenic methane emissions.
The government wants to make it simpler and easier for people to recycleUnderright.this proposal a standard set of materials will be collected in household kerbside recycling bins around the country. It will help businesses design packaging that is recyclable anywhere in New Zealand.Overtime, people will also have access to a food scraps bin at the kerbside. This will help us reduce our carbon footprint, the amount of waste going to landfill and associated disposal costs.
• All single-use plastic beverage containers (PET 1, HDPE 2 and PP 5; recyclable bio-based PET 1 and HDPE 2).
Proposed materials for kerbside collection: • Glass bottles and jars. • Paper and cardboard. • Plastic bottles and containers 1, 2, and 5. • Aluminium and steel tins and cans.
• All single-use metal beverage containers (eg, aluminium, steel, tinplate, and bimetals).
• Any beverage container made from a material other than metal, plastic, glass or liquid paperboard (such as pouches, bladders, and compostable or biodegradable plastics).
Beverage containers that would be included:
Beverage containers that would not be included:
This proposal is about diverting business food waste from landfill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make better use of organic material. The food scraps can then be used to improve our soil or feed animals.TheMinistry would be phasing in the implementation of this proposal over time as it progresses in its journey from planning to action. Next steps The consultation closed on the 22nd of May 2022. Officials are analysing submissions of which there were over 6,000 submissions received from stakeholders including the general public, councils, NGOs, businesses and the beverage industry. The summary of submissions is likely to be published later this year. It will include how many submissions were received for each proposal. The expected timing of Cabinet decisions on the proposals is late 2022. For more information, www.environment.govt.nzvisit
• All single-use liquid paperboard beverage containers (except fresh milk).
• Beverage containers that are intended for refilling and have an established return/refillables scheme. All cups (including coffee cups).
• All single-use glass beverage containers (all colours of glass).
The Issue Aotearoa New Zealand generates more than 17 million tonnes of waste each year. We send almost 13 million tonnes of that to landfill. This means that almost 76 percent of the material we use is completely wasted. Our recycling rate is low. We only recycle and compost about one-third of the materials we place out on the kerbside and two-thirds is sent to landfills. This percentage is reversed in high-performing countries where they recycle twothirds and landfill only one-third.
Too much rubbish is ending up in landfills and our environment. The Ministry for the Environment recently held a public consultation on three proposals to transform recycling in Aotearoa New Zealand. The consultation closed in May. Improvement to Kerbside Recycling
Proposals Container Return Scheme
• Fresh milk in all packaging types.
Separation of Business Food Waste
The Ministry for the Environment consulted on a container return scheme - a recycling system that incentivises people to return their empty beverage containers for recycling in exchange for a small refundable deposit (20 cents proposed). The refundable deposit is a cash incentive for people to return their drink containers.
TRANSFORMINGRECYCLINGFORAOTEAROA
August/September 2022 I 19 column
Clear industry standards or specifications for each fruit or vegetable category are not mandatory in New Zealand and therefore do not exist as a matter of course,” said Dr Maurer.
PROVIDING A FRESH PRODUCE PERSPECTIVE OF THE GROCERY CODE OF CONDUCT
As the Commerce Commission’s recommendations to improve competition in the supermarket sector begin to be implemented, options for a mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct have been developed by MBIE for consultation.
The development of a similar quality measurement such as the Australian ‘FreshSpecs’ produce specifications would represent a significant body of work.
“New Zealand growers and suppliers will have to operate under a new mandatory broader supermarket Code, based on formal supply agreements and retailer quality specifications.
“In Australia, a mandatory Horticulture Code in place since 2006 has resulted in the development of Fresh Produce Market Standards, the ‘FreshSpecs Produce Specifications’, which provide both growers and wholesalers with a set of measurable, industry-specific, concise metrics that underpin product related dispute resolution.
The role that fresh produce plays in health and wellbeing is also critical notes Dr Maurer.
T he MBIE consultation paper has been drawn up with input from an advisory group that includes representatives of the major supermarkets, the Food and Grocery Council, and Consumer New Zealand, along with Dr Hans Maurer, Chair of the United Fresh Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and the New Zealand Director for the International Federation for Produce Standards.
‘New Zealand’s produce value chain that reaches from growers into supermarkets differs from its UK and Australian counterparts. We can learn from the UK mandatory code and the Australian voluntary code, but our Code needs to reflect New Zealand realities – and fresh produce is just a part of this wider product range.”
“While fruit and vegetables might play the biggest part in diet-related health, they typically represent 10 -12 percent of supermarket turnover on average. We’re therefore pleased to have a place in this important conversation from the very start.”“New Zealand’s growers, suppliers and retailers provide essential nutrition to whānau around the country every day. We want to continue to do that as efficiently and as sustainably as possible,” he said.
“Whatever the final details of the mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct, it’s certain that there will be more oversight for all transactions. For fruit and vegetable growers, wholesalers and retailers, this represents a significant change from the status quo. It’s important to have our voices heard in the early stages of the discussion,” said DrDrMaurer.Maurer notes that the fresh produce industry in New Zealand already includes a commercially viable independent wholesale sector, offering choice for growers and retailers alike, functioning on a competitive basis.
“Standards would need to be developed for every category of fruit and vegetables in consultation with all levels of the industry. It would be a huge undertaking, but it’s a path we may yet need to go down,” said Dr Maurer Dispute resolution within the fresh produce sector is also very different to other grocery categories due to the perishability and timesensitivity of the product. “A shipment of apples isn’t going to be stored away by the retailer while an issue is raised under the Code of Conduct. While produce suppliers and retailers already have mechanisms in place to manage situations like this – it’s not clear how the Code will impact upon established systems,” he said.Unlike Australia and the UK, Dr Maurer says the New Zealand Code will also recognise the role of tangata whenua and consider aspirations for Māori economic development.
Dr Maurer questions how the Code will be enforced and how disputes will be resolved.
“The Code will be mandatory but a mechanism to enforce it has not been announced,” he said. These matters will become more obvious once MBIE has settled on the Consultation Paper option it wishes to pursue.
Representing the interests of the domestic fresh produce value chain in this role, Dr Maurer says he was pleased to be able to share a unique perspective with the advisory group.
growernews
More young minds eyeing food and fibre careers is the aim of new Government support for agricultural and horticultural science teachers in secondary schools. The Government is committing $1.6 million over five years to the initiative through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund. “New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is the backbone of our economy and is how more than 367,000 people earn a living. We’re working hard to build resilience and meet future workforce demand as the sector grows.” Read more here
OUTSTANDINGhere
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NZ WINEGROWERS 2022
RESULTS FOR KIWI FOOD AND FIBRE EXPORTS
Final export data shows New Zealand’s food and fibre exports for the year ending June 2022 leapt to $53.3 billion, adding $1.1 billion to the expected $52.2 billion announced in June. “This outstanding result is testament to the ongoing efforts of our farmers, growers, foresters, fishers and processors. The June quarter saw a strong finish to what we’d already forecast to be a record year for exports.” Read more here
FELLOWS ANNOUNCED
BOOST FOR AGRI AND HORTICULTURE SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS
The New Zealand wine industry has recognised the service and dedication of industry icons Dominic Pecchenino, Jim and Rose Delegat, Clive Paton and Phyll Pattie, and Chris Howell, by inducting them as Fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers. “The Roll of Fellows honours the modern pioneers of the New Zealand wine industry. We wholeheartedly thank Dominic, Jim, Rose, Clive, Phyll and Chris for their years of service, and their role in shaping the New Zealand wine industry to be what it is today,” said Clive Jones, Chair of New Zealand Winegrowers, adding that all the 2022 Fellows have worked over many decades for the betterment of the wine industry. Read more here
T&G Fresh has released a new variety of mandarin which will see the fruit on supermarket shelves all year round. The Afourer variety, which is seedless, with a richer orange colour, and slightly sweeter taste than the Satsuma is harvested between September and December. Read more
MANDARINS ALL YEAR ROUND!
A project led by LeaderBrand Produce, Countdown and Plant & Food Research is the first industry-wide collaboration to investigate the impacts of regenerative farming practices in vegetable farming, particularly in relation to productivity, profitability, people and environment. The project is being run out of LeaderBrand’s vegetable production operation in Gisborne, with a demonstration site being established to trial regenerative practices and evaluate the impacts of using compost and cover crops across varied crop rotations. Read more here
STRATEGIC PARTNER SOUGHT TO ACCELERATE GROWTH
NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCED TO RESEARCH REGENERATIVE
Brenntag New Zealand Limited Level 2, Building C 602 Great South Road Ellerslie, Auckland 1051 New Phone:Zealand+649 275 info-nz@brenntag-asia.com0745
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Marlborough Lines Limited (MLL) has announced that it is looking at potential strategic partners for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Yealands Wine Group, consistent with its strategy of accelerating growth and pursuing renewable energy and electrification opportunities as part of its Energise Marlborough strategy. The company is seeking potential strategic partners to accelerate growth in offshore markets to maximise the potential of the award-winning Yealands Wine Group (Yealands). Read more here
SENSE DIFFERENCETHE
VEGETABLE GROWING
We are at home everywhere in the world Brenntag Food & Nutrition is well positioned to cater to its business partners’ needs at a local level. Thanks to our strong infrastructure in 73 countries and 30 application & development centres, we are engrained in the local culture and business. You will benefit from this extensive market, industry and product know-how, including our understanding of regulations, policies, challenges and developments. We are passionate about Food & Nutrition. From bringing you the right ingredients and innovative solutions, through to optimising your formulation and supply chain, our team lives and breathes the world of food. We are the partner who puts your needs in the centre of everything we do. We have a broad and deep product offering, and work with the best suppliers in the industry. We reduce your compliance burden with a dedicated quality and regulatory team and seek to lead the way in safety and responsibility, managing the many complexities of the food industry.
MALCOM REES-FRANCIS Winemaker, Rockburn Wines meetthewineFrancisWinemakerwinemakerMalcolmRees-wasbornandraisedonasheepfarminSouthCanterburyanddiscoveredinhisfinalyearstudyingMicrobiologyatOtago,divingintothe2000vintageinMarlborough.
decided winemaking was very cool and that Central Otago was where I wanted to do it.”
With Rockburn Wines since 2005, Rees-Francis has a less is more approach. He believes that character and quality come from the vineyard and the less he does the better. Rockburn Wines is the creation of “some blokes with a love of Central Otago and fine wine” and takes its name from the rugged, rock-strewn, burn-scarred landscape. Continued on page 24.
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Rockburn is fully audited adherent to Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, meaning consumption of all resources is monitored with constant improvement in mind. Everything at the winery able to be recycled is, with all grape waste becoming compost. Rees-Francis has a strong position on sustainability and climate change, believing everyone should do what they can to reduce their carbon footprint.
meet the winemaker
The winery mostly has grape varieties for Pinot Noir, but also planted Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Continued from page 22.
“It’s too late for opinions on climate change, and probably too late for action.”
The winemaker feels a move to a zerocarbon economy should have happened in the
For the winery, exports are important but not critical and the bulk of sales remain domestic.
August/September 2022 I 25 1990s, and because of inaction our world is irrevocably changing. Economies, cities, and nations will be destroyed as ecosystems collapse and the world runs out of food. The effects of climate change will see some of the world’s greatest wine regions -Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Tuscany, Marlborough, Central Otago- cease to exist.
Rees-Francis has been lucky to have worked in some of these incredible wine-making locations. In New Zealand, Oregon, USA and Burgundy, France he worked with amazing wine makers, each leaving their influences on the wine he makes today.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, online and supermarket sales were Rockburn’s saviour in allowing business to continue.
Rees-Francis himself hopes to inspire others in treading lightly on their journeys, whether winemaking or not. In 2008, the industry saw a ridiculously high yield that nobody was prepared for. Fruit came
With only so many ways to make wine, Rockburn has a grab-bag of solutions to use for any given set of problems which the winemakers like to mix and match to suit their individual situations.
You can watch Malcom introduce the Rockburn 2021 Pinot Noir here.
into Rockburn 100 percent over expectations, if not more, and the business quickly ran out of room even as the fruit kept coming.
If he could do a wine-swap with any winery in the world, Rees-Francis has always wanted to try La Tâche from DRC in Burgundy as “apparently it’s pretty good.”
behind. #WorldFoodDay 2022 is being marked in a year with multiple global challenges including the ongoing pandemic, conflict, climate change, rising prices and international tensions. All of this is affecting global food security. It’stime to work together and create a better, more sustainable future for all. daywww.fao.org/world-food-byhowan#WorldFoodDay YOUR day.MakeJointhecallbyorganisingeventoractivityorshowyouaretakingactionconnectingonlineat
26 I fbtech.co.nz world food day 2022 BEHIND
Although we have made progress towards building a better world, too many people have been left behind. People who are unable to benefit from human andinequality,conflict,COVID-19challengesimpededfood,andeveryoneisaboutButinsecuritythemaffordaroundgrowth.innovation,development,oreconomicInfact,millionsofpeopletheworldcannotahealthydiet,puttingathighriskoffoodandmalnutrition.endinghungerisn’tonlysupply.Enoughfoodproducedtodaytofeedontheplanet.Theproblemisaccessavailabilityofnutritiouswhichisincreasinglybymultipleincludingthepandemic,climatechange,risingpricesinternationaltensions.
2022 finds us with an ongoing pandemic, conflict, a climate that won’t stop warming, rising prices and international tensions. This is affecting global food security.
People around the world are suffering the domino effects of challenges that know no borders.Worldwide, more than 80 percent of the extreme poor live in rural areas and many rely on agriculture and natural resources for their living. They are usually the hardest hit by natural and man-made disasters and often marginalized due to their gender, ethnic origin, or status. It is a struggle for them to gain access to training, finance, innovation, andCollectivetechnologies.action across 150 countries worldwide is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated UN days of the UN calendar. Hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, CSOs, the media, the public, even youth. They promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all, leaving no one
Leave No One
16 October 2022 World Food Day Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. BEHINDNOLEAVEONE
The NZFN’s mission is to help combat the logistical and infrastructure issues that have traditionally limited food supply into food insecure communities and to work together with businesses and food charities to ensure we get food to where it’s needed most. These issues include both a lack of on-site storage infrastructure and challenges coordinating pick-ups of bulk food, which can see community organisations having to turn away large food donations. Findlay explained that prepandemic, in October 2019, it was reported that half a million Kiwis were living without reliable, daily access to affordable and nutritious food. Two years later and demand for food support from our community food hubs has more thanHowdoubled.CanLocal Businesses Help?“We are always on the lookout for more food donors. Bringing in more food, either rescued or donated, means we can support even more hungry Kiwis in need. If you are a food business with surplus food and not sure what to do with it, then we can help and prevent this good food from going to Thewaste.”NZFN makes it easy, with one simple point of contact, you
NZFN was founded to get food to where it’s needed most. The organisation channels bulk volumes of good, nutritious surplus food from food producers and growers and distributes it (free of charge) to food rescue organisations, iwi and charities across New Zealand.
world food day 2022
FOOD TO WHERE IT’S NEEDED MOST
“Access to nutritious food can be particularly challenging for those struggling to make ends meet and this lack of food security has an impact on a range of physical and mental health issues.”
‘L
With World Food Day soon approaching, we talked to Gavin Findlay, CEO of The New Zealand Food Network (NZFN), about what World Food Day means to the organisation, plus the amazing work NZFN do all year round in Aotearoa. can rest assured knowing your good, nutritious food is being used for the purpose it was created for and will be going to where it is needed“Worldmost.Food Day is important in our industry as it helps to bring awareness to the rising demand for food support that we see everyday in our communities but is not always visible to the general public,” noted Findlay. “Following the impact of COVID-19 the demand has continued to climb, so World Food Day is a great opportunity to encourage more food businesses to do the right thing with their surplus food and celebrate their efforts, in turn helping improve food security in our communities and reducing the negative impact of food waste ending up in landfill.”Ifyou would like to find out more about New Zealand Food Network you can visit www. nzfoodnetwork.org.nz or contact at hello@nzfoodnetwork.org.nz to speak to a member of the team.
eave NO ONE behind’ is the theme for World Food Day 2022. With the ongoing effects of the pandemic, rising living costs and the climate crisis, our global food security is being impacted. For Findlay and NZFN, World Food Day is a day to bring awareness to these issues and ensure that no one is left “Webehind.believe it is our collective responsibility to improve the state of food security in our communities by helping everyone in New Zealand have access to good food,” expressed Findlay.
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“We also provide the network and logistics for organisations wishing to gift food donations in bulk to communities in need. To help address this, the NZFN has sought out partners to enable us to source a range of fresh and healthy foods including fruit and vegetables, dairy and protein.”
GETTING
Gavin Findlay CEO, NZFN
The Food OrganisationAgricultureand of the United Nations (FAO) website has heaps of great information about how you and your business can get involved on World Food Day - 16 October 2022.
T
he World Food Day 2022 brochure provides a brief overview of FAO’s work with countries and other partners to make our agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, leaving no one behind.Governments, the private sector, individuals, and other sectors can also find out how they can help FAO in this endeavour. From food tasting or cooking demonstrations to music performances, roundtables or simply spreading the word, you can take part in World Food Day. Use FAO’s free material and find out more about how you can promote #WorldFoodDay by reading the Get Involved guide. You can download posters, virtual backgrounds, gadgets, web, and event banners, and so much more from the World Food Day AssetUseBank.thevisual as much as possible across your activities to add to the global buzz! Inform, educate, and engage audiences with real facts. Join
food-dayDay,takecircumstance.fromagrifoodallappreciationinclusivemoreawarenessonbythe #WorldFoodDay campaignsharingFAO’sfreematerialdigitalchannelsandraiseabouttheneedtocreatesustainable,resilient,andagrifoodsystems.Youcandosobysharingyourfor #FoodHeroes –thosewhoworkthroughoutsystemsandprovidefoodfarmtotablenomattertheTofindoutallthewaysyoucanpartinthisyear’sWorldFoodvisitwww.fao.org/world-
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How You Can #WORLDFOODDAYJoin
KEY DATES: STAGE 1 Entries Open 17 August STAGE 1 Entries Close 28 September STAGE 2 Finalists Notified 5 October
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