Kiwi farmer-owned meat company woos Virgin Australia

  • 08/08/2018

A Taihape food company has launched an appeal to have Virgin Australia serve their meat on flights.

It follows an invitation by the airline to the country's meat companies, in response to rival Air New Zealand's plant-based Impossible Burger, which has caused a stir in rural communities.

Virgin Australia asked Kiwi farmers to help create a bespoke dish for their trans-Tasman flights with local produce.

They cited statistics that claim 94 percent of New Zealanders are regular meat eaters.

Hinterland Foods stepped up and to help rally support, produced a short video to better acquaint "the Aussies" with rural New Zealand life.

They also make a case for why the company's products should be chosen.

Led by the farm's Clydesdale Polly and featuring an appearance from Fieldays Rural Catch 2018 winner Mairi Whittle, the team pulls off some impressive cattle choreography, culminating in the formation of a giant V by a large mob of cattle. 

Hinterland Foods director Tom Wells said: "We are thrilled that Virgin Australia is supporting local farmers and we want to be part of the action.

As one of the country's newest meat companies we definitely see ourselves as an underdog, but if Virgin can give Doug Pitt a fair go, I'm sure they can give us one too. A deal with the airline would be huge for us."

Newshub.