Meet the So Sweet team
Working with nature every day
Every harvest begins with people who care about doing things right.
At So Sweet, our team is guided by our Sweet Values, growing vegetables with quality, consistency, and respect for the land.
Shaped by Southland’s soils and seasons, our crops come to life through the hands that nurture them. From paddock to packhouse, we grow with pride, caring for our vegetables, our community, and one another.
Leadership and support team
Meet the people who connect our fields to our customers. Our leadership and support crew keep every step aligned, from growing and harvesting to packing and supply.
Matthew Malcolm
matthew@sosweet.co.nz
021 241 8195
With beginnings in the paddocks, Matthew worked across every part of the family business before purchasing it at just 30. Today, he leads So Sweet with fairness, showing by example and staying closely connected to the work in the fields and packhouse.
He thrives on new projects, trial crops, and smart initiatives that keep the business moving forward. But his favourite place is still out in the paddock, seeing the results of hard work come through in the crop.
“We are always looking at how to do things better, for our customers, our crops, and our team. Good produce starts with good systems and people who care.”
Rachael Butler
sales@sosweet.co.nz
03 231 3073
Rachael keeps So Sweet’s packhouse and sales running smoothly each day. From planning staff and orders to setting promotions and pricing, she makes sure the right product is harvested, packed, and ready for customers. Liaising closely with the field team, she keeps everything connected from paddock to packhouse.
Starting out harvesting bunch carrots, Rachael has worked her way through different roles and now manages both sales and production. What she enjoys most is the people she works with and hearing the positive feedback from customers when produce arrives.
“Our customers know what they are getting each time with So Sweet. Consistency and flavour, grown the right way and delivered with care.”
Jesse Malcolm
jesse@sosweet.co.nz
03 231 3073
Jesse has been part of So Sweet since leaving school 13 years ago, working his way into the role of Field Manager. He plans, oversees, and carries out field operations, from planting and harvesting to cultivating and trialling new ideas. Always looking for smarter, better ways of farming, Jesse brings a strong focus on soil health, biodiversity, and landscape stewardship.
What he enjoys most is experimenting with cover crops and pasture mixes, seeing how different soils and seasons perform, and watching livestock thrive. For Jesse, what sets So Sweet apart is the open, collaborative culture where ideas flow from every part of the team.
“Our values make the difference. We do the homework, listen to our customers, and tailor our systems so every crop reflects care for people, land, and flavour.”
Hannah Whyte
projects@sosweet.co.nz
027 516 0675
As Marketing Manager, Hannah leads So Sweet’s communications and promotional activity. From social media content to customer updates, she is the voice behind the brand, sharing what the team is doing on farm, in the packhouse, and out in the market. With a background in marketing, communications, and sales, she brings energy and clarity to every part of the role.
“I love being able to tell the world about the good things So Sweet is doing. This is a team with a go forward attitude, always looking for better ways to care for the land, the customer, and the produce.”
Ella Gilbert
sales@sosweet.co.nz
03 231 3073
Ella works across prepack and quality control, helping ensure every product that leaves the packhouse meets the highest standards. Currently training in quality control, she brings care and attention to every detail of the process.
After working in dairy farming, Ella joined the team for a fresh challenge and quickly found her place. She enjoys the variety of her work — from the machinery to the teamwork in the packhouse — and the friendly, supportive environment that makes each day rewarding.
“The produce is high quality and grown really well by people who care. It’s a real team effort.”
Kylie Kelly
sales@sosweet.co.nz
03 231 3073
Kylie takes care of daily sales and customer communications, making sure every order runs smoothly from paddock to packhouse. Her role connects the team with customers across New Zealand, ensuring produce is delivered on time and with care. After nearly two decades in dairy farming, Kylie moved into horticulture for a fresh challenge. She enjoys talking with customers, working within a close team, and being part of a business that’s always evolving.
“The people are what make it. It’s a team environment where everyone’s committed to doing things well.”
Mitchell Gowers
Field Coordinator
Our sweet values in action
Enthusiasm, reliability, consistency, and team unity drive everything we do. These values carry us through early mornings, busy seasons, and every harvest, ensuring what leaves our gates reflects honesty, teamwork, and heart.