Snack brand Nibblish focused on sustainable business model

Based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, Nibblish is a fruit snack brand that is focused on its ethical and sustainable business model, which includes ethical farming, solar-powered sites, water recycling and a methane plant that converts fruit waste into energy.

Matthew Bennett is the CEO and founder of the snack brand, which has a product range of baked fruit products made from fruit with no preservatives, and available in Woolworths and Coles across Australia.

“What sets Nibblish apart is our commitment to sourcing only premium-grade fruit, which means we can gently bake it and it still tastes great without the need to add any sugar or preservatives,” Bennett said.

The business partners work with a network of 1000 local growers in West Africa to source mangoes and pineapples. As the fruit is native to the region there is a natural control of pests, meaning less pesticides are used. By sourcing fruit from its native climate, it reduces the need for intensive agricultural inputs and allows fruit to be harvested in season and baked straight after picking.

Every Nibblish site runs on solar power and the water used in production is recycled. The brand’s main production site in Ghana is home to a methane plant that uses the waste mango and pineapple skins to generate power for the factory. Leftover fruit is used as organic fertiliser for future crops.

“It was important to me as a founder that we built this business the right way — with the right ethics and morals. That meant looking after our workers and the environment in a way we are really proud of. Consumers increasingly want snacks that are not only healthier, but also produced responsibly,” Bennett said.

Matthew Bennett, CEO and founder of Nibblish.

Images: Supplied