| 55 McPhee Cottage Industries T T Karen Phelps Clinched two prestigious gold medals A small Hawke’s Bay artisan bakery has earned national recognition after clinching two prestigious gold medals at the 2025 Outstanding Food Producer Awards for its organic bread range. McPhee Cottage Industries, founded by Fiona MacKinnon, received Farro Earth Gold Medals for both its Organic White & Spelt Bread and Organic Wholegrain & Spelt Bread varieties in March, cementing its reputation as a premier producer of quality, additive-free bread. “It is confirmation that we are making a really good product. We thought it was good and our customers tell us it’s good, but it was nice to have a professional double-blind taste test to further confirm that,” says Fiona, whose passion for authentic bread-making was cultivated during her 11 years in Italy. The accolades have already translated into tangible business growth for the artisan bakery, which began as a humble home enterprise in 2021 after Fiona returned to New Zealand and settled in Hawke’s Bay. Frustrated at the limited availability of organic, additive-free bread in New Zealand, what started as casual sharing of homemade loaves with friends and family evolved into a partnership with Chantal organic store in 2022, which fueled further growth. “The awards have already increased sales. We have our regular customers, but it has attracted the person who hasn’t tried it before and sees the gold medal on the packaging, which gives them the confidence to try it,” says Fiona. She says that what sets McPhee Cottage Industries apart from conventional bread producers is its commitment to traditional methods and quality ingredients. Each loaf takes a full 24 hours to rise, using a French technique called pâte fermentée - a pre- fermented dough component similar to sourdough - with just a small amount of natural yeast to ensure consistency year-round. The award-winning bread is made exclusively with organic ingredients, including unbleached wheat and wholegrain flours, largely grown in the South Island and milled locally by Organic Flour Mills in Palmerston North, a key partner in the bakery’s success. “All the flour is organic. Where possible we source the wheat from New Zealand. So this means fewer transport miles and supporting local businesses,” explains Fiona. The bakery’s signature use of spelt flour - an DEVELOPMENT Founder Fiona MacKinnon. Your One Stop Organic Shop Cornucopia Organics is a family owned business in the heart of Hastings. Offering an extensive range of nutritional supplements, health and herbal products and expert advice from qualified naturopaths. Hasting’s original one stop organic shop is bustling with an abundance of fresh seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, lush herbs, locally farmed organic meat and dairy products, freshly baked bread, sustainable fair trade chocolate, organic wines, natural make-up and skin care, health supplements, herbs from the dispensary and everything you need to keep your family healthy and your pantry well stocked. Build your plastic free home from our zero waste bulk bins and refill options which help reduce cost and keep packaging waste to a minimum. Phone: (06) 876 6248 | E-mail: cornucopiaorganics@gmail.com | Web: www.cornucopiaorganics.co.nz Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm Saturday: 8:30am - 3:30pm Organic Flour & Grain www.organicflourmills.nz At Organic Flour Mills we mill certified organic grain into certified organic whole-grain flour. There are no additives or refining of the flour. We offer NZ-grown Wheat, Rye, and Spelt flour, as well as 4 gluten-free flours: Buckwheat, brown Rice, Millet, and NZ Quinoa. We also produce 3 bread mixes. We use Zentrofan cyclonic mills, which do not overheat our fine flour, retaining maximum nutrients. ancient grain that predates modern wheat - adds nutritional value while being easier to digest for many customers. This commitment to health extends throughout the production process, with McPhee Cottage Industries using only additive-free ingredients, in stark contrast to mass-produced bread where additives are often used to make bread rise quickly and for longevity on the shelf, says Fiona. McPhee Cottage Industries’ eco-friendly approach can also be seen in its production methods and delivery systems. It bakes in non-teflon tins and utilises electric vehicles for deliveries. The bread is, pre-sliced for convenience, is packaged in environmentally friendly materials that supports its zero-waste philosophy. The company has established strong relationships with local retailers including Cornucopia Organics in Hastings, which has played a significant role in the brand’s growth. Its products are also available at Chantal Shop in Napier, Foursquare Te Mata in Havelock North, Waipawa Organic Grocer and are served at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania’s breakfast buffet. As a dedicated local brand, Fiona says McPhee Cottage Industries is committed to remain true to its organic roots and artisanal values, focusing on maintaining its presence in Hawke’s Bay while considering responsible growth opportunities.
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