Australian Super Foods | Celebrating Australian Food and Agribusiness Innovations 2021
Demand for native Australian ingredients has skyrocketed in recent years, with bushfoods like saltbush and lemon myrtle appearing on menus and in dishes across the globe. Since launching in 2015, The Australian Superfood Co has become a key supplier of native produce to food and beverage makers, cosmetic manufacturers, hospitality venues, hotels and airlines throughout Australia and the world.
According to founder Hayley Blieden, the company exists to solve the problems of customers and to find a way to facilitate reliable supply of quality native ingredients. This ethos led to the development of a range of herbs and spices, fruit and herb extracts, fruit powders, air dried fruits and herbal teas — all derived from native bushfoods. The Australian Superfoods range maintains the integrity, flavour and nutritional benefits of the ingredients in versatile shelf-stable formats, providing year-round access to traditionally seasonal products. Blieden, the company exists to solve the problems of customers and to find a way to facilitate reliable supply of quality native ingredients. This ethos led to the development of a range of herbs and spices, fruit and herb extracts, fruit powders, air dried fruits and herbal teas — all derived from native bushfoods. The Australian Superfoods range maintains the integrity, flavour and nutritional benefits of the ingredients in versatile shelf-stable formats, providing year-round access to traditionally seasonal products.
In 2018, Hayley noticed a spike in orders from South Korea for the company’s Kakadu Plum products. She quickly determined that demand was outstripping her ability to supply, despite a reasonable year-round stock holding of the seasonal fruit. She investigated the cause and found pollution levels in South Korea were elevated at the time, creating heightened interest in immunity boosting products.
High in Vitamin C and antioxidants, Kakadu Plum was gaining an international reputation for its health benefits, so the company launched a new product — a Vitamin C Booster supplement with Kakadu Plum and Finger Lime. From South Korea’s pollution, through Australia’s bushfires and straight into a global pandemic, the market conditions proved ideal for a product designed to mitigate unwanted impact from adverse environmental conditions.
In response to increased global demand and with a desire to ensure a fair and equitable chain of supply, The Australian Superfood Co established the Native Harvest Initiative, which works with Indigenous communities to provide support, identify ways to optimise returns and to increase product supply, while honouring and respecting traditional harvesting practices.
