AUS | Coles has teamed up with vegetable company Nutri V to launch a range of new and innovative vegetable powders that aim to reduce food waste and provide a convenient way for Australians to increase their vegetable intake.
In an Australian-first, the award-winning company reduces food waste by converting imperfect Aussie vegetables such as broccoli, pumpkin and cauliflower into a powder that can be added to smoothies, muffins, and pasta sauce.
Raquel Said, Nutri V's Chief Executive Officer, said the powder range was an excellent option for people looking to help achieve the recommended five servings of vegetables daily and address the pressing issue of food waste.
"Our powders are an excellent solution for busy people looking to increase their veggie intake and parents trying to sneak some extra veggies into their kids' meals," explained Said.
"We're also helping to reduce food waste by converting imperfect veggies into a powder that is a source of dietary fibre, ready to use, has no mess or waste and can be added to almost any meal."
The powders are now available at all Coles stores in Victoria and will expand to other states later this year.
Coles General Manager of Sustainability Brooke Donnelly said the powders are an ingenious solution to sneaking more veggies into your diet while providing a sustainable solution to the challenge of food waste at the farm.
"This is an excellent example of how we are developing a circular economy by converting previously wasted food into a valuable and convenient product," said Donnelly.
"It also provides a way for our farmers to use all of their crops, which is more sustainable and financially beneficial for our growers."
Each 70g pack of Broccoli Powder has approximately 750g or two and a half heads of broccoli. In comparison, the 70g pack of Cauliflower Powder has approximately 750g of cauliflower or two heads of cauliflower.
Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and Coles Group Manager Nutrition & Health Kim Tikellis said that with less than 10 percent of Australians eating enough vegetables, this new range of powders provides an easy way to help boost veggie intake as part of a healthy eating plan and comes as many Australians are looking to make positive changes to their health and parents start the school year on the right foot.
The 70g powders retail for $8.90 and add to Nutri V's range of veggie puffs snack foods, Nutri V Goodies, launched in Coles stores in 2022.
Since its launch in 2020, Nutri V has diverted more than 200 tonnes of vegetables from landfills and added over one million servings into the supply chain.
Last year, The Nutri V was awarded the Butler Market Gardens Environmental and Sustainability Award at Hort Connections, the 2023 Disruptor award in the AU/NZ TMRRW awards, and a finalist in the Victorian Premiers Sustainability Awards.
Nutri V collaborates with Fresh Select, a long-term Coles fresh produce supplier, and Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
