Going for Gold: Our Artisan Snacks Win Big at the 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards!
Last year, we decided to take a leap and enter our products into the Outstanding Food Producer Awards for the very first time. We were absolutely thrilled to bring home Silver and Bronze. But this year? We are completely blown away.
We are incredibly proud to announce that our Nutty D’Lites artisan snacks have taken home two Gold medals and a Silver at the 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards!
These awards celebrate the very best food and drink crafted across Aotearoa, judged by some of the country's most respected food experts. Knowing the level of passion, quality, and sustainability required to even be considered makes this recognition so incredibly special to our team.
Here is how our caramelised snacks placed, along with some of the fantastic feedback we received from the judges:
GOLD: Nutty D'Lites Caramelised Almonds - Sea-Salted Caramel. The judges officially crowned these as "a perfect snack!". They praised the "beautifully fresh almond" and the "great balance of salt and sugar".
GOLD: Nutty D'Lites Caramelised Almonds - Gingerbread Spiced. The panel loved the "great aroma" and highlighted the "innovative spicing, gorgeous crunch" of these sweet snacks.
SILVER: Nutty D'Lites Caramelised Almonds - Cinnamon Spiced. Rewarded for having a "great crunch, evenly coated" finish, the judges also loved the "good balance of cinnamon"
Crafting the perfect snacks involves early mornings, endless roasting, careful caramelising, and packing right here in Nelson. Seeing our region continue to punch above its weight on the national food stage is brilliant, and we are so proud to be part of such a vibrant local food-producing community.
A massive thank you to the team at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards and to dish magazine for championing Kiwi food made with Aroha.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who supports us at the markets, orders our snacks online, and shares our products with friends and family. We’re more inspired than ever to keep raising the bar, perfecting our crunch, and sharing the joy of great food made with care.
Here’s to award-winning snacks, Nelson pride, and the simple pleasure of a perfectly caramelised almond!
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If you’d like to find out more about the Awards or see the full list of winners, visit outstandingfoodproducer.co.nz.
