Reader's Digest New Zealand Feb/ Mar 2026

plant-based diets. They discovered first-hand that with passion and determination, great things can hap- pen. There is a very real family that started the brand, that truly cared about providing healthier food options. “My Mum and Dad founded Fry’s,” Tammy adds. “And even though they are retired, my dad still offers insight and support.“ Wa l l y Fr y came up with the idea after Tammy simply refused to eat meat for ethical reasons, even as a young child. “That was like a seed that was planted in my mind to say there’s another way. I couldn’t find anything that tasted, looked and felt like meat, so I decided to invent something,” says Wally Fry. Helping people to reduce how much meat they consume became a life mission for the family, and has always been more than just a busi- ness. Fry’s was founded in 1991, but the story really started years earlier at their family kitchen table. RD: Howwas Fry’s created 35 years ago? Tammy Fry: My mom had always been a vegetarian and I made the choice to not eat meat for as long as I can remember. So, the idea of meat- free eating was already common- place in our family. My dad was a builder and was commissioned to build a piggery. Once the project was completed, he returned to see the piggery in operation. This was his epiphany moment. He was profoundly impacted by what he saw that day. The experience moved him into vegetarianism and kick-started his mission to cre- ate food that was nutritious but also delicious and satisfying. He had been a meat-eating South African his whole life, and really craved that meat experience. So he began experimenting in the kitchen —not with the intention of starting a business, but simply to find a way to feed us good, healthy, yummy food. Chicken-style burgers are a recent addition to Fry’s range PHOTO CREDIT: FRY’S reader ’ s digest 14    February/march 2026 readersdigest.co.nz    15 Food Terms and Conditions apply, for full details please visit imaginecruising.co.nz. All prices shown in NZ Dollars. Prices are per person based on two adults sharing a cruise cabin or suite and include flights from Auckland (regional flights available). Credit cards charged at 1%, if paying by AMEX a charge of 2.5% will be added. ABN number 48614987718. Prices are correct at the time of print and are subject to change. Offer applies to new bookings only. Named hotels are based on availability and are subject to change without notice. Alternative hotels will always be of equal or higher star rating. Holiday duration includes overnight flights when applicable and is subject to change. Visit us online imaginecruising.co.nz Call us on (09) 941 2525 DOLCE DISCOVERY COMPLIMENTARY OCEANVIEW TO BALCONY UPGRADE INCLUDES SCENIC RAIL JOURNEY ON BOARD THE BERNINA RED TRAIN VISIT 3 STUNNING ITALIAN LAKES European Elegance: Italian Lake Quartet, Scenic Bernina Rail Journey & Princess Cruises Mediterranean Voyage Your unforgettable holiday includes: Breathtaking Rail Journey Scenic rail journey on board the Bernina Red Train Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted Lake Como tour Full-Board Ocean Adventure 14 night full-board cruise on board Enchanted Princess® Visiting: Civitavecchia, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Naples, Civitavecchia, Amalfi Coast, Santorini, Kuşadası, Katakolon, Civitavecchia Complimentary Oceanview to Balcony upgrade Hand-Picked Hotel Stays Four-star hotel stays in Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Garda, and Rome All hotel stays include breakfast All Flights, Taxes & Transfers Auckland departure – regional flights available Overnight flights 28 September 2026 23 Nights HOLIDAY CODE: EUR2343 INTERIOR FROM $11,499 PP OCEANVIEW FROM $12,999 PP BALCONY FROM $12,999 PP MINI-SUITE FROM $14,999 PP