Grocery retailer Foodstuffs has announced the winners of its emerging supplier competition’s start-up and small supplier categories.

The company named Solid, a maker of sustainable plastic-free toothpaste in a jar and toothpaste tablets, as the victor of the start-up category.

Herbivore, the creator of premium plant-based butter made from natural coconut, won the small supplier category.

Solid and Herbivore will work along with Foodstuffs and industry mentors toward the sale of their products at New World stores across New Zealand.

“Every year we put over 9000 new products onto our shelves. As 100 per cent locally owned and operated co-ops we’re committed to championing home-grown innovation and creating an ecosystem that gives New Zealand grocery creators the support they need to succeed,” said Chris Quin, Foodstuffs North Island CEO and one of the judges of the competition.

“Seeing their product grow on supermarket shelves is the ultimate goal of every grocery entrepreneur. Our winners will receive expert guidance and comprehensive wrap-around support at every stage of the product development journey to achieve that milestone.”

The two companies were declared the winners out of the 10 finalists, who demonstrated their own approaches to sustainability such as through waste reduction, ethical ingredient sourcing, and using packaging that can be reused and recycled.