Supplier Stories

Meet Sarah Hedger and Mike Cowlin, the chef and marine biologist behind Yum Granola. What started in a Lake Hāwea community hall kitchen, with the first batch delivered by mountain bike, has grown into a Nelson-based breakfast brand with Gold at the 2025 NZ Artisan Awards and a Climate Positive certification. You’ll find their Pancake & Waffle Mix in our Gluten-Free, Breakfast Bliss and Healthy Habits gift boxes.

Cable Bay sits tucked into Doubtless Bay, about as far north as you can go in New Zealand. This is where Due North Foods handcrafts every one of its sauces, jams, and chutneys. From Karikari Peninsula olives to wild Northland blackberries, every jar connects to the land around it.

Meet Samantha Burgess, founder of Preservation Jam. What started as a mission to rescue excess produce in the Bay of Plenty has found a new home on the Kāpiti Coast. Sam crafts all-natural, small-batch preserves and jams from local seasonal fruits that would otherwise go to waste. You’ll find her creations in our Kāpiti Goodies Gift Box.

Chris and Linda Smith discovered a neglected olive grove during a bike ride in Mangawhai in 2012, restored it, and now produce award-winning EVOO from five varieties. Their grove was selected for a national research programme that doubled olive yields across NZ. They’ve won medals every year since their first harvest and still run community picking days. We stock their oil in our Notable Northland and Vegan gift boxes.

This article is part of our Supplier Stories series, where we share the people and stories behind the products in our gift boxes. There’s something special about discovering a local producer who’s genuinely doing things differently. Wonderland Chocolate first caught our attention through their branding. That distinctive turquoise packaging with carnival characters immediately stood out […]

Get ready to meet Jayde and Andrew Lane from The Smoke Shed in rural Waikato, a husband and wife team who’ve just taken home the Boutique New Product Champion award at the 2025 Outstanding Food Producer Awards! Their secret? A Welsh family recipe that’s travelled generations and continents to become one of New Zealand’s most […]

You know that moment when you discover something so delicious it makes you question everything you thought you knew about a food? That’s exactly what happened when we first tried Great Day Mallow’s incredible marshmallows from the Waikato. How it all began Here’s what we love about Great Day Mallow’s story. It started with an […]

Prepare to be inspired by the incredible journey of Nutty D’Lites, a small-batch producer from sunny Nelson that’s making waves in the local food scene! In our latest supplier spotlight, we’re thrilled to share their heartwarming story of passion, resilience, and deep community roots. Could you share with us the story behind starting your business? […]

Discover the magic behind New Zealand’s local gems with our latest We Love Local supplier story, showcasing The Baked Dane based in Levin! Dive into the heartfelt tales of our beloved small-batch producers as they share their inspiring journeys, deep community bonds, and the unique flair that makes them shine. Get ready to be moved […]

Meet The Lost Plot, based in Greytown, Wairarapa! Discover the inspiring journey behind a family’s quest for self-sufficiency, which turned into a thriving business. Starting with an abundance of produce from their lifestyle block, The Lost Plot identified a niche for preservative-free condiments, launching with an old family recipe.