French Heatwaves Signal a New Food Production Reality
France's vegetable growers are warning that 2026 is becoming an annus horribilis after three major heatwaves in as many weeks pushed temperatures beyond 40°C across much of the country. Open-field crops including lettuce, carrots, onions, leeks, garlic, shallots and microgreens have suffered losses measured in thousands of tonnes, while some sectors now fear losing up to half of their annual production. Tomato crops have also stalled, with growers reporting that fruit develop
22 hours ago1 min read
One Lick at a Time as Kiwi Cauliflower Ice Cream Startup Takes on America
Most New Zealand food companies heading offshore begin with distributors, trade missions and sizeable marketing budgets. EatKinda has chosen a very different path. Co-founder Mrinali (Milli) Kumar has been doing what many founders only talk about, packing samples, attending startup events, fronting tasting tables, and personally introducing Americans to an idea initially sounding quiet absurd - cauliflower ice cream. Yet, as the smiles from Target's recent Brand Discovery Da
2 days ago1 min read
From Bolivia to Florida via Australia as Achacha Finds a New Global Home
The achacha, known locally as achachairú or "honey kiss", has been cultivated for generations in Bolivia. Yet it was Australian growers who established the world's first large-scale commercial plantation in North Queensland in 2003, investing years of research into propagation, irrigation, pruning and post-harvest handling before the first commercial harvests appeared in 2009.
4 days ago2 min read
From Gourmet to Psychoactive as Mushroom Grow Bags Go Mainstream
Generally, home mushroom growing means oyster mushrooms, lion's mane or shiitake.
Now, in parts of the United States where psychoactive mushroom laws have relaxed, the same cultivation technology is increasingly being used to grow psilocybin mushrooms.
6 days ago2 min read
From Beer Waste to Biomanufacturing as UC Students Chase a Billion-Dollar Material
The NanoBrew project is investigating how beer waste - brewers' spent grain- can be converted into nanocellulose, an ultra-light, high-strength biomaterial increasingly used in medical dressings, sustainable packaging, cosmetics, filtration systems and advanced composites. The project will represent New Zealand at this year's international iGEM synthetic biology competition in Paris.
7 days ago1 min read
Cheesecake Is Doing the Media Rounds as ‘Downsizing to Upscale’ Gains Momentum
Growing international attention surrounding ready-portioned cheesecake is less about cheesecake itself and more about a broader shift taking place across the global food industry. Rather than producing ever larger products, manufacturers are increasingly embracing a strategy best described as "downsizing to upscale" - creating smaller, premium products delivering greater value through quality, flavour, sustainability and experience.
Jul 142 min read
Polish Push For Geothermal Food Production Carries A Message For New Zealand
Poland’s efforts to extend geothermal energy beyond heating and recreation into geothermal food production offer another signal New Zealand should be watching closely.
Polish researchers are examining geothermal heat for protected cropping, aquaculture, agricultural drying and food processing. Existing applications remain limited, but include geothermal-supported fish farming, vegetable cultivation and some food-processing activity.
Jul 142 min read
New Zealand's Peanut Trials Point To Bigger Food Opportunities
New Zealand's journey towards producing its own peanuts has taken another step forward, with scientists preparing to evaluate a new cultivar specifically selected for Northland's climate. Researchers from the Bioeconomy Science Institute say several years of commercial-scale trials undertaken alongside Pic's Peanut Butter, Northland Inc and industry partners have produced encouraging results. Crops experienced very low pest and disease pressure, required no insecticides or fu
Jul 102 min read
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