The Good Oil Recognised for Sustainability and Taste at the 2025 Outstanding Food Producer Awards

We’re incredibly proud to announce that recently The Good Oil was awarded two gold medals at the 2025 Outstanding Food Producer Awards. One for our Extra Virgin High Oleic Sunflower Oil and one for our Extra Virgin High Oleic Rapeseed Oil.

These awards are judged by a panel of respected chefs, food writers, nutritionists and sustainability experts, and are widely considered among the most prestigious in New Zealand. What sets them apart is the depth of judging — including flavour and presentation, but also sustainability, innovation and impact. That’s why this recognition means so much to our team who work hard to create products we are proud of and believe in.

• The Good Oil Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil 1L – Gold Winner
• The Good Oil Extra Virgin High Oleic Sunflower Oil 1L – Gold Winner

Our Extra Virgin High Oleic Sunflower Oil was praised for its vibrant, natural flavour and smooth finish, while the Extra Virgin High Oleic Rapeseed Oil was recognised for its mild, nutty profile, silky texture and versatility in the kitchen. Both oils are cold-pressed in Canterbury from specially selected high oleic seeds, grown by up to 100 local farms.

These oils are not only delicious, they’re also incredibly adaptable. Their high smoke points make them ideal for everyday frying, roasting and baking, while their natural flavours shine in dressings, marinades and dips. The Rapeseed Oil’s subtle nuttiness and buttery notes have become a favourite for everything from roast vegetables to banana bread, while the Sunflower Oil offers a lighter flavour that works beautifully in salads and sautéed dishes.

Alongside the product awards, we were named a finalist for the Sustainability Champion Award. This was particularly special and reflects years of work supporting sustainable farming across New Zealand, developing new cropping options and striving to have a positive impact in our community.

The judges highlighted several key initiatives:

• Working with over 100 New Zealand farms to grow GE-free high oleic crops, supporting diverse crop rotations and soil health

• Cold-pressing oil using no chemicals or solvents, retaining nutritional value while using less energy

• Recycling used cooking oil from our business customers into biofuel and bio-industrial alternatives that displace petrochemicals

• Displacing approximately 8 million litres of imported oil and 12 million kilograms of imported meal each year

• Running a monitor farm programme in partnership with the Foundation for Arable Research to support sustainable practices and improve long-term viability

• Introducing new crops like nitrogen-fixing soybeans to help reduce fertiliser use and support soil health

• Operating a zero-waste model, with every part of the seed used, including turning the meal byproduct into chemical-free, high-protein stock feed

We’re also proud to support communities across New Zealand. Our fundraising programme has helped more than 150 schools, clubs and teams raise money through The Good Oil. And our Pink Ribbon campaign with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is now entering its fourth year, with $1 donated from every limited edition bottle sold. Thanks to our customers, we’ve proudly donated over $80,000 to help fund vital research, education and support.

You can read more about our sustainability recognition on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards page here.

Kiwis love supporting local, and more and more are choosing oils that are New Zealand grown, naturally extracted, and full of flavour. The Good Oil has become a go-to in homes and professional kitchens alike, thanks to its fresh taste and short journey from paddock to plate.

Made from carefully bred high oleic seeds grown by a dedicated network of New Zealand farms, The Good Oil is cold-pressed without chemicals or heavy processing. It’s rich in healthy fats and made for real cooking, whether you’re roasting veg, dressing a salad or baking banana bread.

And with global olive oil prices soaring, many have discovered The Good Oil as a high-quality, great-value alternative that’s just as versatile. It’s not just a substitute, it’s something people genuinely love using every day.

For us, these awards reflect more than just great flavour, they acknowledge the collective effort of our growers, our team and our customers to support something truly local and sustainable. The Good Oil has grown steadily to become a favourite in many Kiwi kitchens, and these awards are a moment to pause and thank everyone who’s backed us along the way.

This recognition follows a double Gold at the 2024 NZ Artisan Awards, and our Rapeseed Oil being named Best Oil at the 2024 Healthy Food Guide Awards.

We’re excited for what’s ahead, and as always, we’re glad to have you with us on the journey.

To celebrate these wins, why not try some of our favourite recipes that highlight the versatility of The Good Oil?