An award-worthy food tech breakthrough is quietly reshaping the future of farming in New Zealand, and it started right here at home.

Powered by Plants (PbP), a Kiwi sustainability venture, has developed a world-first upcycling system that turns wasted fruit and veg into high-value powders, extracts and concentrates.

Backed by the NZ Food Innovation Network, the system could reduce New Zealand’s reliance on imported ingredients and give struggling growers a new revenue stream.

The model captures waste from crops like onions, carrots and berries, and processes it into food-grade ingredients.

What can’t be used for food is turned into insect meal, biogas or fertiliser, nothing goes to landfill.

Dr Andrew Prest from PbP says the idea came from seeing perfectly good produce dumped or sold for peanuts.

“We’re importing onion powder while 20% of our local onions rot in landfill. That doesn’t make sense.”

Grant Verry says the innovation could be a turning point for growers.

“For some growers, this could be the difference between profit and loss,” he says.

“It offers them options, so instead of sending unsold produce to landfill or stockfeed, they can now receive more revenue by choosing to sell into a higher-value, local, circular and sustainable bioprocessing food system.”

With several trial hubs already in place, the goal is to roll out regional mini-refineries across the country.

For Hibiscus Coast produce lovers, it’s a glimpse of a future where local food stays local, waste is valuable, and jobs are created right where the food is grown.

Know something local worth sharing?

Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.