Raglan Food Co. Ltd, renowned for its delectable dairy-free coconut yoghurts and kefirs, has once again proven its culinary excellence by securing three prestigious medals at this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.
In a blind taste test, judges bestowed upon Raglan Food Co. a silver medal in the dairy-free category for its Irresistible Blackcurrant coconut yoghurt, along with two bronze medals for its Luscious Lemon and Decadent Raspberry coconut yoghurts. These accolades highlight the exceptional quality and flavour of Raglan Food Co.’s limited-edition yoghurts, which were meticulously evaluated on taste, texture, scent and mouthfeel.
For the team at Raglan Food Co., based in the picturesque Whaingaroa, Raglan, this recognition comes as a delightful triumph as they celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. With a proud history of award-winning products, Raglan Food Co. has consistently garnered acclaim for its commitment to excellence. Notably, they were honoured with the Sustainability Champion Award in 2023 and 2020, showcasing their dedication to sustainable practices and community engagement.
Tesh Hearth, Co-Founder and Head of Impact at Raglan Food Co., expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of their sustainability efforts. “A really nice award to receive and it’s fantastic that they even have a category that acknowledges the importance of sustainability and community.”
Tesh co-founded the company in 2014 with Seb Walter, who now has an advisory role on the company board of directors. Tesh highlighted their achievements as a Toitu Climate Positive Organisation and Certified B Corporation, demonstrating their rigorous standards of governance, community involvement and environmental stewardship.
“It’s an exciting time for us and feels like a very big step, to take something that’s worked well here and do the same thing [in the U.S.].”
Raglan Food Co.’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond mere accolades; it’s ingrained in every aspect of their operations: from implementing a staff profit-share program and promoting health and well-being to supporting local organisations and investing in eco-friendly practices like re-purposing the factory’s wash-down water to irrigate a neighbouring avocado farm and partnering with the local recycling centre worm farm to turn coconut fats into compost.
In addition, Tesh and her husband David established and are trustees of the Values Trust, a registered charitable trust for philanthropic endeavours focusing on Climate, Creatures and Children’s Literacy. In April 2024, 100 childcare centres received the Little Libraries kit sets, featuring 20 books from New Zealand authors – a collaborative initiative from the Values Trust. “It’s been the cutest of projects. I get lovely emails from kids who’ve been reading the picture books and childcare centres grateful for the resource.”
As Head of Impact, the unstoppable Tesh also launched the Vibe Lifter Podcast to amplify local voices of change, further demonstrating their dedication to community engagement and empowerment.
Looking ahead, Raglan Food Co. is poised for further growth and expansion, with plans to introduce their coconut yoghurts to the U.S. market. Partnering with a U.S.-based production partner, they are currently distributing their product through independent grocers in New York plus online sales via grocery delivery service Fresh Direct. “It’s an exciting time for us and feels like a very big step, to take something that’s worked well here and do the same thing over there.”
As Tesh and her team embark on this exciting new chapter, they remain steadfast in their commitment to crafting delicious, sustainable products while making a positive impact on communities. With each spoonful of Raglan Food Co.’s coconut yoghurt, consumers not only enjoy a delightful treat but also support a company dedicated to making a difference in the world.
© Waterford Press Ltd 2024 – Independent Print Media New Zealand
