The Tararua College/Meal Innovations Link
The industry perspective – Allan Johnson, Meal Innovations
After putting work into establishing the Tararua College link and doing a presentation at the school, Meal Innovations General Manager Allan Johnson is disappointed that unavoidable circumstances have disrupted this link.
Allan believes working with schools should be a priority for industry. Meal Innovations is already working in a partnership with Massey University – giving factory tours to potential Food Technology students and employing two Food Technology students every year – and are very keen to extend this kind of link into secondary schools.
He sees the Tararua College link as a very valuable one, not just for the students but for the company as well, and is looking forward to expanding the link in 2008. Aware that schools need that certainty of support, he plans to work with Diana later this year on what they will do in terms of visits and making products, so that they're ready to go next year.
"Food and health are going to become prime areas of interest. Modern teenagers will often read food packaging which my generation didn't. Kids are more aware of what they're eating and the technology of analysing food is more relevant to them."
"It's a definite advantage to have a link with the target market – and 'food for kids' could be a useful avenue for Meal Innovations. With this connection we could have the students test products and provide feedback. Students in turn could test their ideas with the company; perhaps developing a recipe and having it made up at the factory, to see how it really worked out. The schools market is going to be huge, especially with the emphasis on healthy foods in schools, and we're in a position to do this. We already produce a range of healthy food items and know we're capable of working within the guidelines”.
"Over the next four to five years more schools will be seeking out these sorts of partnerships. We will keep working with Tararua College and probably expand to include more schools..
Looking to the future Allan can envisage giving some of Diana's students work at Meal Innovations in the school holidays.
