Honouring 40 years of dedication: The Owen family’s legacy in food distribution
A proud Foodfirst cooperative member and a true NZ Coop Icon, Foodfirst is proud to reflect on the journey of one of its most dedicated and inspiring members, the Owen family, who this year celebrate 40 years in the food distribution industry. Their story is one of vision, resilience, and deep-rooted values.
It began in 1985, when Richard and Jill Owen purchased a truck and a distribution agreement for Mr. Chips in Gisborne. With little more than grit, community spirit, and a garage full of freezers, they began delivering food to local businesses, Jill even earned her truck licence to help with deliveries when needed.
From these humble beginnings, the Owen family grew their business into a regional powerhouse. In 1997, they acquired Gisborne Wholesale Food Distributors, transforming it into the Firstlight Frozen business we know today. This move cemented their presence across the East Coast and expanded their reach into schools, cafés, dairies, and restaurants.
Fast forward to today, and the business remains proudly family-owned and operated. Richard and Jill’s sons, Kurt and Wade Owen, now lead a group that employs over 55 staff and runs 15 trucks, servicing nearly a quarter of the North Island. In 2021, the family further expanded with the acquisition of Star Food Service in Hawke’s Bay and Taupo Premium Foods, bringing their trusted service to even more communities.
Firstlight Frozen team early 90’s
Throughout their 40-year journey, what has never changed is their commitment to people. The Owen family has always believed in building strong, personal relationships with their customers, a value that mirrors the very heart of the Foodfirst cooperative. For Foodfirst, it’s a privilege to share this milestone in the same year that we honour 25 years of the cooperative movement in New Zealand. Stories like the Owen family’s remind us why the cooperative model matters. It’s about connection. It’s about backing each other. And it’s about growing together, not just as businesses, but as people committed to something bigger. Congratulations to Richard, Jill, Kurt, Wade, and the entire Owen family. Thank you for showing us what it means to be part of a cooperative, and for 40 remarkable years of service, leadership, and heart.
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