Local Company Bites into Snack Market

A new premium snack company specialising in high quality nuts and dried fruits has launched into the New Zealand market with strong sales growth and quick uptake by premium food stockists.

The growing popularity of new Nuttz Gourmet Selection packaged nuts has already seen it snapped up by some of the country’s premium food outlets, including Nosh, Smith & Caughey’s and Albany New World.

The founder of Nuttz Gourmet Selection Alan Lilburn says there is a huge market in New Zealand for healthy snack alternatives and believes his company is going someway to address it.

“We already have good penetration of gourmet food stockists but any food providers, including health food stores, gyms, cafes and restaurants should provide a quality healthy snack alternative to their existing customer base.”

Lilburn attributes the early success and market penetration of Nuttz Gourmet Selection to the quality and taste of the product. Once tasted, Lilburn describes the conversion to sale ratio as “very high”.

Presented in stylish, distinct clear packaging, Nuttz Gourmet Selection offer sweet varieties in Chai Almond, Vienna Almond, Honey & Sesame Almond, Honey Cashew, Cinnamon Cashew and Honey Macadamia. Their spicy/savory varieties come in Thai Sweet Chilli Cashew, Moroccan Tajine Cashew Lemon Myrtle & Black Pepper Macadamia, Wasabi Macadamia.

Using only the highest quality nuts, the company’s unique coating and dry roasting process offers New Zealander’s a popular alternative to the traditional packaged nut varieties, which have been salted or roasted in oil - significantly reducing their nutritional value.

Lilburn says as many nut varieties are not grown in New Zealand in commercial quantities he out-sources the nuts, based on their size and quality.

“We source cashews from Vietnam, almonds from Australia or California and macadamias from Australia, or New Zealand depending on season and supply, he says.

Various coating techniques are used depending on the nut and flavour, however the majority are coated with honey. This keeps the product gluten free and cholesterol free while also allowing the natural spices to bond to the nut. The nuts are also dry roasted to prevent saturated fat from oil roasting decreasing nutritional value of the nut.

Most varieties contain no trans fats, are cholesterol free, gluten free and low GI while also containing the natural health benefits of nuts – unsaturated fats as well as essential minerals and vitamins.

For more information visit www.nuttz.co.nz