HempFarm began with a handful of seeds and a very big dream: a dream to build a vibrant hemp industry in New Zealand. Hemp Farm has been growing New Zealand hemp, importing, exporting and distributing hemp seed products as well as exciting the taste buds of Kiwis since 2008.
What is your company background, how did you start the business?
Our company has pioneered the hemp industry in New Zealand starting back in 2008 by importing hemp seed products form Canada. With the change in regulations in 2018 allowing the growing of hemp in this country, we started contracting farmers to grow on our behalf. We now have 70 farmers planting 1300 hectares last season. This is the source of our spray-free hemp seed from which cold press and double filter our sensational tasting, health-giving hemp seed oil.
What is the current product range and variants and how do these products stand out in the market?
HempFarm Kiwi Hemp Seed Oil comes in 2 bottle sizes - 250ml and 500ml.
We stand out in the market with our oil being 100% New Zealand grown, cold-pressed and spray and residue-free. We do not blend with hemp seed from other countries. The result is a deliciously fresh and buttery, nutty flavoured oil which contains 40% less saturated fat than olive oil.
Hemp seed oil provides a range of important nutrients to energize and soothe the body – it is also an excellent source of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). Hemp seed oil contains two absolutely essential fatty acids to maintain great health, Omega 6 and Omega 3. They are known to be essential because our bodies cannot make them, so we need to get these nutrients from our daily diet. Unlike other sources of these essential fatty acids, hemp seed oil provides an ideal 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, which helps the body utilize these nutrients, boost metabolism, support immunity and healthy joints and promote heart health. This low maintenance super-food can be either drizzled over salads and soups or your toast as a butter replacement – so simple!
What are the plans for the business moving forward, is there any expansion on the horizon?
There is nothing but expansion on the horizon! The hemp industry is only just taking off, we are able to grow more plants and the world has started to learn about the nutritional and health-giving benefits of this amazing plant. In addition to hemp seed oil we also currently produced de-hulled hemp seeds (hemp hearts), hemp protein and hemp seed oil capsules - not to mention topical skincare products using hemp seed oil. We have several other exciting new food products in the pipeline such as hemp seed flour.
Where are your products currently available to buy, and are you looking at or wanting to expand your availability?
We currently sell our products through health stores, organic grocers, food ingredient stores, cafes, and restaurants, online through our website. Yes, we are wanting to expand our availability, particularly through supermarkets.
For more information visit hempfarm.co.nz and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
