Nutri V veggie powder finds home on Coles shelves

Nutri V has launched its range of vegetable powders onto Coles supermarket shelves in Victoria with plans to expand to other states later this year.

The company Nutri V, formed by Fresh Select and the CSIRO in 2020, began plans to offer products with enhanced nutritional content using CSIRO's microencapsulation of healthy oils and gut health fermentation applications.

Last year the product won the the Environment and Sustainability Award at the Awards for Excellence, as part of Hort Connections 2023.

Nutri V was front and centre at that event with Hort Innovation showing off two ice cream flavours (cauliflower-vanilla bean and pumpkin-gingerbread) at the event which utilised the powders.

Nutri V chief executive officer, Raquel Said, said the powder range was a great option for people looking to help achieve the recommended five serves of vegetables each day as well as address the pressing issue of food waste*.

"Our powders are an excellent solution for busy people looking to increase their veggie intake and parents trying to sneak some extra veggies into their kids' meals," Ms Said said.

"We're also helping to reduce food waste by converting slightly imperfect veggies into a powder that is a source of dietary fibre, ready to use, has no mess or waste and can be added to almost any meal."

Each 70g pack of broccoli powder has the equivalent of about 750g of broccoli or two and a half heads of broccoli, while the 70g pack of cauliflower powder has the equivalent of about 750g of cauliflower or two heads of cauliflower.

The range of 70g powders sells for $8.90 and adds to Nutri V's existing range of veggie puffs snack foods, Nutri V Goodies, which launched in Coles stores in 2022.

Since launching in 2020, Nutri V has diverted more than 200 tonnes of vegetables from landfill and added over one million serves of vegetables into the supply chain.

Coles general manager of sustainability Brooke Donnelly said the powders were an ingenious solution to sneaking more veggies into a diet while providing a sustainable solution to the challenge of food waste at the farm.

"This is an excellent example of how we are developing a circular economy by converting what was previously wasted food into a valuable and convenient product," Ms Donnelly said.

"It also provides a way for our farmers to use all of their crop, which is more sustainable and financially beneficial for our growers."

Advanced accredited practising dietitian and Coles Group manager nutrition and health Kim Tikellis said the products should help with health.

"With less than 10 per cent of Australians eating enough vegetables, this new range of powders provide an easy way to help boost veggie intake as part of a healthy eating plan and comes as many Aussies are looking to make positive changes to their health and parents start the school year on the right foot," Ms Tikellis said.

Sophia Ballan (15) with Dion Ballan (9) making a smoothie with Nutri V powder