SIX meals available from vending machines highlight New Zealand beef and lamb in a launch in China earlier this week. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has joined forces with leading red meat exporters Alliance Group and Silver Fern Farms to launch innovative beef and lamb meal vending machines in China. The two Pure Box vending machines in Shanghai will serve what is described as convenient and nutritious ready-to-eat meals featuring New Zealand premium grass-fed beef and lamb for busy Chinese consumers. The meals, co-developed by B+LNZ and well-known Shanghai chef Jamie Pea, fuse traditional Chinese ingredients and flavours with Western food trends. Each of the six available dishes have been designed to highlight the natural flavours and nutritional benefits of New Zealand lamb and beef.
VENDING MACHINES The vending machines, which are marketed under B+LNZ’s Taste Pure Nature country of origin brand, will be located in Shanghai’s top business districts where time-poor consumers are known to seek out convenient and healthy food options, according to Michael Wan, B+LNZ’s global manager New Zealand Red Meat Story. She said the pilot is just one of the organisation’s strategic marketing initiatives designed to build awareness and aspiration for New Zealand grass-fed beef and lamb in China. “The Chinese market is strategically important for New Zealand’s red meat sector. ‘Our research shows a growing number of Chinese consumers are seeking nutritious and healthy food. The unique attributes of New Zealand grass-fed beef and lamb can meet this need. Nicola Johnston, general manager growth at Silver Fern Farms, said taking part in the trial was an important way of establishing the opportunities for red meat in growing convenience trends such as ready-to-eat. INNOVATION “We know that Chinese consumers love the core attributes of our red meat, but there’s more we can do to challenge the way our products are delivered and consumed that better suit our consumers’ varied lifestyles. By trialling initiatives such as the Pure Box, we can also glean insights that apply across our growing branded offering in China.” Stephen Wong, Consul General of New Zealand in Shanghai, unveiled the Pure Box to media and the public at a launch event in Shanghai on September 22. Almost 50 representatives from New Zealand beef and lamb export companies, in-market partners, distributors, retailers and media attended the launch.
