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Hot on the heels of winning six gold medals at the 2024 NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards (MM, Aug 19), Charlies Gelato of Matakana has won two trophies in the championship taste-off.
As well as taking out the newcomers’ category for its Passionfruit Sorbetto, business owners Andrew Cole and Tania Nevill were also named as the NZ Ice Cream Association’s first Sustainability Champions.
Judge from the Sustainable Business Network Fiona Stephenson said Charlies Gelato was leading the way with impressive environmental initiatives.
“They’ve installed 48 solar panels to harness renewable energy and use filtered rainwater in their gelato and sorbetto production,” she said.
“They grow spray-free fruit on site, reducing the need for transport. Charlies also places a strong emphasis on supporting the local Matakana community by contributing to local sports teams, schools and organisations like the Lions, paying above the minimum wage and employing local residents.”
The NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards assessed more than 230 entries from national commercial brands to artisan ices, awarding 169 gold, silver and bronze medals and 19 trophies.
