Granola makers take next step up
After two years of making granola in a container kitchen in a driveway, Yum Granola is moving to its first proper factory space, in Nelson’s CBD.
Owners Sarah Hedger and Mike Cowlin moved their industrial kitchen unit into their new HQ on Bridge St in May.
The couple started making the breakfast cereal four years ago in Wanaka, before they moved to Nelson two years ago for the mountain biking options. They haven’t had much opportunity to ride their bikes, though, as making a tonne of granola every month takes up a fair bit of their time.
Hedger, who is from California and used to work as a chef at the Whare Kea lodge in Wanaka, said she had always had a fascination with granola but was never able to digest it, which led to the couple creating their own, gluten-free versions.
Former Wellingtonian Cowlin is a marine biologist by trade who has worked for the Ministry of Primary Industries in fisheries management.
The industrial kitchen was made by Cowlin in an old shipping container. It sat in the driveway of the couple’s rented home for two years, but storage space was becoming an issue, so they decided to move. Hedger said they were looking to build a kitchen twice as big in about a year’s time.
Yum Granola is stocked by a number of supermarkets and organic stores around the country. Hedger said the aim was to be in as many stores as possible.
Cowlin said the company had grown in spurts, and had its best month to date in May, which had its challenges, as the couple were in the process of moving and had to make enough stock to see them through.
He said Yum Granola was different to other food companies, most of which started in Auckland. ‘‘They’ve got a big market right on their doorstep. So it’s been a really slow burn, but a good burn for us, that we started at the bottom of the South Island and are working our way north.
‘‘At the same time, it’s enabled us to be more resourceful and actually grow in a more sustainable way.’’