Southland Grower and Wonky Box to Strengthen Partnership to Further Support Food Security Mission

So Sweet, a Southland-based premier grower of carrots, parsnips, and root vegetables, recently took a significant step in fortifying its commitment to reducing food waste and promoting food security. The company’s CEO, Matthew Malcolm, and key team members visited the facilities of Wonky Box to explore new ways to enhance their partnership. This collaboration is focused on ensuring families across New Zealand have access to healthy food by distributing 'wonky' fruits and vegetables - produce that may not look perfect but is perfectly edible.

During the visit, So Sweet’s team toured Wonky Box’s operations to gain a deeper understanding of their processes and to identify opportunities for further support and innovation. The two teams engaged in extensive discussions about enhancing the distribution of nutritious produce, eliminating food waste, and educating the public about the benefits of consuming 'imperfect' fruits and vegetables.

So Sweet CEO Matthew Malcolm remarked that at So Sweet, every piece of produce, regardless of its appearance, deserves a place on the table and that visiting Wonky Box has further reinforced their commitment to this mission.

“By seeing firsthand the dedication and passion that goes into their operations, we are inspired to find new ways to support and expand this initiative. Together, we are not only reducing food waste but also making healthy, nutritious food more accessible to New Zealand families," he said.

Wonky Box founder Angus Simms expressed enthusiasm about the strengthened partnership.

"Our mission at Wonky Box is to combat food waste while ensuring that all families have access to nutritious food. Hosting the So Sweet team has been an incredible opportunity to showcase our work and collaborate on even more impactful solutions. Together, we are proving that imperfect can indeed be perfect when it comes to feeding our communities," he said.

This visit marks a new chapter in the partnership between So Sweet and Wonky Box, highlighting their shared commitment to sustainability and food security. By working closely together, both organisations are demonstrating a united front in the fight against food waste while promoting the love of food in its most natural forms.