Christchurch consumers and local suppliers are set to benefit from the local launch of meal-kit company HelloFresh.
Canterbury food manufacturers already supplying the company’s North Island customers have welcomed the move and say it will lead to larger volumes of local production.
Akaroa Salmon managing director Duncan Bates said the meal kit company is currently his largest customer.
“We started supplying HelloFresh earlier this year which allowed us to diversify our business into a new distribution channel - which has now significantly surpassed our restaurant trade and international export volumes," said Bates.
“As well as buying thousands of units of our product with every order, they also display the Akaroa Salmon name on their packaging which gives us a significant lift in exposure."
James Massey, managing director of Botany Group, which produces dairy products in Leeston, said they have had to expand capacity to meet the demand from HelloFresh.
“Our supply relationship with HelloFresh has grown exponentially over the past six months which has required extra production shifts and staff to keep up," said Massey.
“Entering this channel has also helped us expand our product range which gives us new capability in this area and positions us to move into other markets.
“Their simplified home-cook based menu makes it easier for us to achieve greater economies of scale, by producing a small number of products at much higher volumes, and means we’ve been able to supply hundreds of thousands of units of Greek yoghurt and sour cream for their meal kits."
Tom Rutledge HelloFresh NZ CEO said they have had requests to supply Cantabrians since they first opened in the North Island less than two years ago.
“We are excited to bring a new level of convenience to those in the Christchurch area and look forward to expanding our offering throughout the South Island over the coming months," said Rutledge.
“Weeknight meals should be simple, delicious and affordable and we know our South Island customers will enjoy discovering a new way of channelling their inner home cook and preparing dinner for their families."
