New Zealand-based snack maker Proper Crisps has resumed its long-term supply agreement with local kumara grower Kaipara Kumara.
In October 2020, the company temporarily switched to Australian-grown sweet potatoes for its Lightly Slated Hand Cookied Kumara Chips to keep shelves stocked.
Ant Blundell of Kaipara Kumara described the previous year’s weather as “by far the biggest challenge” after Cyclone Gabrielle nearly destroyed their crops.
“I’ll never forget the phone call I had with their team after the cyclone,” Blundell continued.
“After telling them almost all of our crop had been wiped out, they assured us they’d stick it out with us and sent us a pallet of chips to let us know they were thinking of us.”
However, after a limited season of the Aussie variant, Proper Crisps has now ordered 700 tonnes of NZ-grown kumara to make its Kumara crisps.
“The 2024 harvest looks good with nice quality kumara,” added Blundell. “Proper Crisps exemplifies what a great customer and business partner should be.”
Proper Lightly Slated Hand Cookied Kumara Chips are available in supermarkets in New Zealand and Australia for an RRP of $5.59.
