Make it Raw Celebrates 10 Year Milestone
It’s been 10 years since North Canterbury maker, Julia Warren, took her idea and transformed it into a thriving health food business.
After living in Auckland for a few years, Julia and her husband, Max, moved back home to Canterbury the week before the February 2011 earthquake. As an architect, her husband quickly secured a job, but Julia found herself out of work.
Make it Raw was born in July 2011 from both necessity and Julia’s passion for wholesome, raw food and a desire to provide delicious options for the health-conscious and those on restricted diets.
Julia opened a stall at Ohoka Farmers’ Market, run by her mother-in-law, Barb Warren. The business has since expanded into a team of like-minded individuals and Make It Raw products are stocked in more than 65 stores throughout New Zealand. Continually striving for healthier living, every batch is still handcrafted in the team’s shipping container kitchen, which is parked outside her mum’s home in Fernside.
Julia still attends Ohoka Farmers’ Market every Friday and has her eyes firmly on expanding her product offering.
“We have a few new flavours and products in the works, which we’re really excited to share.”
Julia adds, “We wouldn’t be celebrating our 10 year anniversary if it wasn’t for all the support we’ve received from our loyal customers from across New Zealand.”
Alissa Wilson, Food and Beverage Business Development Manager at Enterprise North Canterbury says Julia is a great success story for the region’s artisan producers.
“The food and beverage industry is highly competitive and it is challenging for artisan producers to scale up to this level. Julia’s success is a testament to not only her amazing products, but her commitment to producing food that continues to resonate with her customers.”