Foodstuffs Emerge 2025 is off to a fantastic start, with an exceptional standard of entries showcasing the diversity and quality of emerging suppliers ready to take the next step in their retail journey.
After a rigorous judging process, we’re excited to announce the semi-finalists for the 2025 Foodstuffs Emerge competition:
Start-up Suppliers |
Small Suppliers |
|---|---|
| Twenty Eight Drinks - Twenty Eight Drinks Scientifically Designed For Women | Little Ardroy Beef Company - Frozen Beef Bites (Original & Korean BBQ) |
| ButterLuxe Co - Oaty Butter | Pierogi Joint - Pierogi |
| The Real Fruit Sorbet Company - Kiwi Sorbet Green, Gold & Red | Teeny Teeth NZ - Trio-Toothbrush (Three sided brushing!) |
| NODE - Node rapid hydration formula | Vague Hippo - Frozen Espresso shots |
| Johns Popcorn - John’s Popcorn | Mag Bag - magnetic close storage bag |
| ISpy Nits - Ispy Nit Kit | Parakore Honey - HiveEnergy Gels |
| Brewd Hawt Chicken - Frozen Jalapeno Cheese rolls | Planta - Lime and Kawakawa, Passionfruit and Nectarine, Blood Orange and Hibiscus |
| Dirty Donuts - Apple Fritter | May Coffee Crew Limited - Vietnamese Ready to Drink (RTD) Iced Coffees |
| Ginger’s Pantry - Kimchi pancake Mix (vegan and gluten free) | Ecobase SC - Ecobalm |
Each of these suppliers will now spend the coming weeks refining their pitch as they aim to progress to the final event, where two category winners will be crowned.
Foodstuffs Emerge 2025 entries are closed
Foodstuffs is once again on a mission to help bring emerging suppliers into the forefront through Foodstuffs Emerge, a national competition that will see the category winners get priceless support from Industry leaders and Foodstuffs mentors; plus, an unrivalled opportunity to get their product onto supermarket shelves in New World stores across the motu.
Supported by a plethora of industry partners with high credentials including, Precision Media, the New Zealand Food Innovation Network, FMCG business mentoring experts Rise Growth Lab, merchandising experts HOOP, consumer insight specialists Stickybeak and FMCG brand and design agency Calico; the nationwide search has started with the aim of recognising, supporting and encouraging innovation within the grocery sector.
Foodstuffs Emerge is led by Foodstuffs and supported by New World. This unique nationwide platform plays a key role in both co-operatives commitment to be Here for NZ through support for their supplier communities and in turn, helping local communities to thrive.
Entry Criteria
We are looking for:
• Sustainable aspects to your product/business
• Potential to disrupt within their category
• It can be any grocery category (excl alcohol, cigarettes & vaping products)
• New Zealand made & based
• Either not selling to any supermarkets or you might be registered vendor for either North or South Island
• Early stages of trading or already selling to a limited number of stores within a couple of regional areas
• Capacity and resource to scale up to get into New World Stores or to be able to expand on the current number of New World stores
Key Dates
• 8th April 2025: Entries open.
• 1st June 2025: Entries close.
• Early June 2025: Semi-finalists to be announced. All semi-finalists to prepare a longer application.
• July 2025: Finalists announced.
• Final Event 14th August 2025: pitch night and winners announced
• Following the event: Winners start working with Foodstuffs and partners
