We have shared a supply relationship with Countdown (and its predecessors) since 1970 and are extremely proud of our kumara offer to them and their valued customers. Our growers (all now 2nd or 3rd generation) take a lot of care and cherish the land and farm in an environmentally and sustainable manner.
Many of the kumara we supply to Countdown throughout New Zealand is “loose” … no packaging.
Our bagged kumara is only supplied to Countdown. We are talking to them about transitioning from “plastic” bag packaging to other forms such as “netlon mesh” bagging. Whilst we acknowledge it is still plastic, nevertheless, using netlon mesh represents an average 85% reduction in plastic used. The plastic utilised with netlon mesh itself is 100% recyclable. The transition has already progressed, with the “Odd Bunch” range of kumara now being sold in netlon mesh bags.
We won’t move to compostable packaging in the short term as there is no infrastructure in place at present to fully support compostables in New Zealand. We feel it would be not the best for the environment as a lot of it would end up in the landfill or contaminating the soft plastics. We understand that Government and Councils are clear they do not yet support compostable packaging, nor does the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Thank you.
Anthony Blundell
Managing Director
Kaipara Kumara Ltd
Many of the kumara we supply to Countdown throughout New Zealand is “loose” … no packaging.
Our bagged kumara is only supplied to Countdown. We are talking to them about transitioning from “plastic” bag packaging to other forms such as “netlon mesh” bagging. Whilst we acknowledge it is still plastic, nevertheless, using netlon mesh represents an average 85% reduction in plastic used. The plastic utilised with netlon mesh itself is 100% recyclable. The transition has already progressed, with the “Odd Bunch” range of kumara now being sold in netlon mesh bags.
We won’t move to compostable packaging in the short term as there is no infrastructure in place at present to fully support compostables in New Zealand. We feel it would be not the best for the environment as a lot of it would end up in the landfill or contaminating the soft plastics. We understand that Government and Councils are clear they do not yet support compostable packaging, nor does the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.
Thank you.
Anthony Blundell
Managing Director
Kaipara Kumara Ltd
