Now in their fourth year and run by NZ eco-friendly company Munch, the 2016 Munch FoodsAwards once again recognised the best (and worst) kids’ products, menus and marketing campaigns.
The Supreme Award went to New World’s Little Gardens, which also topped the Best Kids Food Marketing Campaign category. The initiative has recently encouraged children and adults alike to collect and grow 24 different veggies and herbs, receiving one free seedling kit for every $40 spent in-store.
Quite interestingly, in 2015 New World was awarded the Worst Kids Foods Marketing Campaign for their Little Shops. Some voters pointed out that, unlike the Little Shop campaign, Little Gardens were plastic-free and 100 percent sustainable.
Among this year’s winners was Kono NZ’s subsidiary Annies, which took home the Best Kids Food Product award for its fruit bars.
“We are thrilled to be recognised in the industry as a product that parents trust to give to their children,” said Mel Chambers, GM Food, Kono NZ. “Our fruit bars are made from 100 percent fruit, and nothing else. They have no added sugar, and are free from additives, concentrates, gluten, dairy, and nuts.”
All nominations for finalists were made by the public, while category and supreme winners were chosen by both public vote and a judging panel that included qualified nutritionist Julie Bhosale, nutritionist and fitness trainer Claire Turnbull and first MasterChef NZ winner Brett McGreggor.
