WHAT: In observance of World Kiwifruit Day (December 21), Zespri, BB #:141270 the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, is calling for all forward-thinking visionaries, disruptors, dreamers, and darers to apply to its newly launched innovation funding initiative, ZAG. Today, Zespri wants to drive awareness of some of the key challenges facing the kiwifruit industry – and drum up excitement to find solutions that will unlock real change in the areas of sustainable agriculture, technology, automation, packaging, supply chain, logistics and industry education.
The US$2 million annual fund will support future innovation initiatives and global strategic partnerships that strengthen Zespri’s ability to deliver on its purpose – to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit.
ZAG will support projects that are focused on four core priorities for Zespri: (1) Initiatives that are good for kiwifruit by driving superior quality and lifting on orchard productivity; (2) Initiatives that are good for people by promoting wellbeing through kiwifruit consumption; (3) Initiatives that are good for the environment by protecting and enhancing nature; (4) And finally, initiatives that foster a thriving kiwifruit industry, benefitting growers and the local communities they are a part of.
WHO: Innovative problem solvers from around the world are invited to help Zespri better innovate in sustainable agriculture, technology, automation, packaging, supply chain, logistics and industry education.
Interviews are available with Zespri leadership including:
- Jiunn Shih, Chief Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability Officer
- Bryan Parkes, Head of Innovation Acceleration
WHEN: World Kiwifruit Day December 21, 2023
WHERE/HOW: To join Zespri’s mission to create a better kiwifruit industry for all, apply to the fund at zespri.com/ZAGFUND
