Finalist in food awards

Hawke's Bay children's snacks company Kiwigarden has been named a finalist for the 2015 NZ Food Awards.

The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Auckland's Villa Maria Estate.

Kiwigarden's mixed berry yoghurt drops were named a finalist for the FOODBOWL novel ingredients Award and the NZTE Export Innovation Award, while their crunchy apple slices were named a finalist for the Primary Producers Award.

Kiwigarden's range of all natural, freeze-dried snacks was launched in August 2013 by the parents of three, Joanne Edwards and former All Blacks captain Taine Randell.

The couple, who started making freeze-dried snacks for their children, said they quickly identified a gap in the market for food on the go that was "healthy and nutritious" without any added nasties.

"I started trialling various clean foods that I believed would appeal to children using farmers market yoghurt and local fruit and vegetables to create the first range of Kiwigarden snacks.

"It's real fruit, vegetables and yoghurt presented in a way that is fun to children (especially the fussy eaters), delicious and convenient," Ms Edwards said.

Judges for this year's NZ Food Awards have been impressed with the level of innovation in entries across the sector this year.

Food writer Nici Wickes and Auckland restaurateur Geoff Scott say the growth and quality of entries is a testament to New Zealand's thriving food industry. About 150 products from 79 food and beverage producers were entered for this year's awards.