| 51 T T Kelly Deeks Fresh solution to fruit waste The juice contains no added sugar, no preservatives, and no concentrates, just fruit and a touch of vitamin C to preserve colour and freshness. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Golden Bay Fruit Motueka-based horticultural company Golden Bay Fruit has expanded its offering from orchard to fridge with a bold new product that combines sustainability, innovation, and good old-fashioned apple goodness. Known for growing and exporting some of New Zealand’s juiciest apples and pears to more than 20 countries, Golden Bay Fruit has now turned its attention to what happens when perfect fruit doesn’t make it to the shelf. The answer? Pure, cold-pressed juice cleverly packaged in a format that’s both family-friendly and environmentally sound. “We’ve always been focused on producing premium fruit, but food waste is a big issue across the industry,” says marketing director Eleni Hogg. “Around 20% of the fruit that goes through our packhouse doesn’t make retail grade. A lot of it still tastes incredible, it might just be marked or too small, so we wanted to turn that fruit into something valuable.” The result is a new range of 100% natural juices, Pure Apple and Apple & Pear, made from local fruit and pressed just down the road by Tasman Bay Food Co. The juice contains no added sugar, no preservatives, and no concentrates, just fruit and a touch of vitamin C to preserve colour and freshness. The packaging also sets this product apart. In a nod to the past and a step towards a more sustainable future, Golden Bay Fruit has chosen a ‘bag-in-box’ format, commonly known as a cask. It holds three litres of juice, has a convenient tap, and fits easily into the fridge. “This format was popular in the 1950s, and is making a comeback for good reason,” Eleni says. “It uses significantly less carbon to produce than glass, it’s easier to transport and store, and it keeps the juice fresher for longer. It’s ideal for families and food service providers alike.” Each cask of juice has a shelf life of nine months unopened, and once opened, the juice stays fresh for four weeks or more, thanks to the oxygen-blocking triple-valve tap. The cardboard outer is fully recyclable, while work is ongoing to find recyclable alternatives for the inner bag. Golden Bay Fruit’s juices are already making a splash in local outlets and are now stocked in New World supermarkets across the South Island. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with locals and visitors alike reaching out to find the juice in other regions. “It’s been really exciting to see the demand grow,” Eleni says. “People recognise the quality. There’s not much else in the bulk juice category that’s made purely from fruit, without all the additives or dilution you see in other products.” For Golden Bay Fruit, the move into juice is part of a wider strategy to drive value, sustainability and innovation in the horticulture sector. The company was formed in the early 2000s after the deregulation of New Zealand’s apple industry, when several orcharding families joined forces to market their own fruit directly. “Everything we do is about delivering value back to the grower,” Eleni says. “Whether it’s selling premium apples offshore, or turning hail-affected fruit into something useful, we’re here to make sure that hard work doesn’t go to waste.” With new IP apple varieties like Sassy™ gaining traction and further sustainability initiatives underway, including ongoing carbon footprint measurement and biodiversity compliance for international markets, Golden Bay Fruit is firmly rooted in the future. Opal Kiwi Packaging Proudly supporting Golden Bay Fruit with their corrugated packaging needs www.opalanz.com 0800 803 400 Our collaborative approach, quality staff and innovative solutions mean our customers receive excellent value for money, compliance, planning and meaningful reporting along the entire project lifecycle. CoolLogic is unique in approach. We tailor a solution working in partnership with our customers which includes; needs-based system design, planned and preventative ongoing management and maintenance service programmes, plus a 24 hour service response team. Our Services and Capabilities T 0800 772 077 CoolLogic - Proud to support Golden Bay Fruit Proudly Supporting Golden Bay Fruit Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Equipment Supply, Ice Banks, Water / Glycol Chillers, Heat Recovery Energy E cient Engineering, 24 Hour Service, Design Build, Preventative Maintenance, Supply & Installation Branches Nationwide Christchurch Support Office Phone: (03) 339 2617 | Email: info@activerefrig.co.nz www.activerefrigeration.co.nz
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