PRODUCTION UNDERWAY FOR PLANT-BASED PROTEIN BUSINESS IN KĀPITI

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Kāpiti is now home to one of New Zealand’s leading plant-based protein businesses with production starting recently at its new facility in Paraparaumu.

Under its new plan*t brand, Sustainable Foods Limited is producing its plant-based protein line, which includes burgers, mince, and sausages.

Kāpiti Coast Mayor K Gurunathan says that food and beverage manufacturing has a long, successful history in the district and despite the closure of the Fonterra Factory last year the area is fast becoming a stronghold for food and beverage manufacturers.

“An innovative company like Sustainable Foods Limited is exactly what’s needed to breathe life back into the Te Roto Drive manufacturing facility and to help further bolster our growing food and beverage sector.

“Kāpiti is already home to a number of fantastic food and beverage manufacturers. In the same neighbourhood as Sustainable Foods, we have the likes of Tuatara Breweries, Duncan’s Brewing Company and Dark Horse Coffee – it is becoming quite a hub.

“The sector is also getting us noticed. Colmar Brunton research shows that food and beverage are in the top three attractions for visitors to Kāpiti so we need to be looking at how we can attract more foodies our way.”

“Right now, however, we all need to be supporting local. I encourage you to shop local where you can, many of our local businesses are operating online and can do contactless delivery at Alert Levels 4 and 3,” says Gurunathan.

Sustainable Food’s chief executive officer, Justin Lemmens, says he is looking forward to introducing Sustainable Foods, its people and its plans for Kāpiti.

“We’ve been full steam ahead since we arrived. We were lucky enough to have our Kāpiti team up and going prior to lockdown because as an essential service we’ve continued to operate throughout Alert Level 4.

“Kāpiti is a natural fit for us. Not only does it have the type of facility we need to continue to innovate and expand, it also provides us with a number of partnership opportunities.  We’re really looking forward to working with other local producers, including local and regional horticultural producers, and manufacturers to grow the sector further in Kāpiti and the greater Wellington region.

“We have a vision for our new facility that goes far beyond simply manufacturing our own products, for us, it’s about building on Kāpiti as a food destination and innovation hub. It’s about creating jobs and helping the economy to thrive. Watch this space.”

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