The team behind Sassy Apples is celebrating ahead of Asia Fruit Logistica, having been announced as one of four finalists in the Primary Sector Award category at the New Zealand Food Awards.
The New Zealand Food Awards has been running since 1987, and this year more than 300 entries from 91 companies were whittled down to 64 finalists.
The Primary Sector Award, sponsored by the Ministry for Primary Industries, shines a spotlight on products that remain true to their roots – ”minimally processed and pure”.
“This year’s finalists showcase the successful journey from innovative concept to market launch, all while meeting consumer needs with sustainable business and environmental practices,” said head judge Kay McMath.
Sassy’s head of marketing Eleni Hogg shared some insight into the thorough award application process, which delved into the full process to bring Sassy to life, from research and development through to naming and marketing.
“This award is a true testament to the full team behind Sassy, especially the science and dedication of the team at Plant and Food Research (PFR),” she explained. “They spent 15 years perfecting this variety through thousands of natural cross-breed trials, optimising attributes like taste, storability, colour, and disease resistance.”
Sassy is a completely new variety, crafted by New Zealand’s crown research institute, PFR, and commercialised by Prevar New Zealand.
The global license is owned by Next Generation Apples, a collaboration between New Zealand-based growers Taylors and Golden Bay Fruit.
Winners of the New Zealand Food Awards will be announced at a black tie awards dinner in Auckland on 10 October.
