Sam and Maia Photo: Supplied by The Pure Food Co
When Sam Bridgewater's stepdad was going through cancer and couldn't swallow normal food, it sparked what is now a global business.
The Pure Food Company is a food making and delivery business that now services hospitals and rest homes around New Zealand, Australia and more recently in France.
The company was started in 2013 when Sam saw his stepdad's recovery was slowed by his poor nutrition.
He saw a gap in the market learning that older people require twice as much protein as elite athletes and most were getting about half of what they needed.
The Pure Food Co makes pureed foods frozen into known food shapes like broccoli or cauliflower - but they have more nutrients.
Other products include snacks and smoothies.
The company's now working with every hospital in New Zealand and 80 per cent of the aged care facilities.
Sam and co-founder Maia Royal won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in the services category last week. Sam talks to Kathryn about the journey the business has been on.
