Our Story
Provenance
I grew up on a dairy farm in Papakaio, just outside Oamaru. Being around food production from an early age shaped how I think about where food comes from and the care that goes into doing it properly.
That connection has carried through into our family. My husband Suneil is involved in the food distribution sector for his day job, and gives his time governing two large food charities, KiwiHarvest and New Zealand Food Network.
Food is not just something we eat in our household. It is something we are deeply connected to.
From Maternity Leave to Idea
Real Deal Foods was born in my kitchen on my second maternity leave.
I was making snacks for my boys' kindy lunchboxes - nuts weren't allowed, and I loved making food for my family. Around the same time I started studying nutrition and fell deep into paediatric nutrition.
Seeds kept coming up. Hemp, sunflower, pumpkin, chia - extraordinarily nutrient dense, yet barely featuring in most kids' or adults' diets simply because nobody was making them accessible or delicious.
That felt like an opportunity.
A Better Snack
I started experimenting. Less dates, seeds as the hero, flavours people actually want to eat.
I'd bring them to kindy, share them at playdates, pack them into lunchboxes. The feedback was always the same - can I get more of those?
So Real Deal Foods was born. A snack that bridges the gap between convenient and genuinely nourishing. Made without nut ingredients. Seed based. No refined sugar.
What started as lunchbox fuel quickly became the snack parents were sneaking for themselves.
A Note From Me
Feeding yourself and the people you care about well isn't always easy.
Between busy days, shifting appetites and the constant juggle, it can feel like you're always trying to get it right. Real Deal Foods isn't just a brand. It's something I created to make that part of life a little easier - simple, nourishing options you can feel good about reaching for, without the compromise.
We're starting with bliss balls. But this is just the beginning. My vision is a range of genuinely nourishing everyday foods that work for real life - convenient without cutting corners, delicious without the guilt.
Whether it's going in a lunchbox, a gym bag, or straight into your mouth at 3pm — that's what this is about.
— Hannah
Add Water Jam
How do I make the jam?
Give the jar a quick shake first to loosen any clumping, then add 125ml (½ cup) of water directly into the jar, give it a good shake, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before stirring and enjoying.
How much jam does one jar make?
One jar makes approximately 170g of prepared chia jam — plenty for spreading on toast, stirring into yoghurt, or adding to lunchboxes.
What's in it?
Organic chia seeds, organic coconut sugar, organic freeze-dried raspberry powder and freeze-dried strawberry powder. Real fruit, no refined sugar, seed-based.
Storage & Shelf Life
What's the shelf life of the dry mix before I add water?
Unopened, the dry mix keeps for 6 months from production. Once opened, reseal the jar tightly and use promptly — this limits air exposure and helps prevent clumping.
How long does it keep once I've made it up?
Once prepared, store in the fridge and enjoy within 7–10 days. You can also freeze the remaining jam in ice cube trays for extended storage, up to 3 months.
Do I need to refrigerate it before I add water?
No — the dry mix is shelf-stable and doesn't need refrigeration until water has been added. Store it somewhere cool and dry before opening.
Should I shake the jar when it arrives?
Yes — we recommend giving the jar a good shake as soon as it arrives, even before you're ready to use it. This helps loosen any natural clumping that can happen during transit, so your mix is ready to go when you are.
Delivery & Pick up
Do you ship the jam nationwide?
Yes! Unlike our bliss balls, Add Water Jam ships anywhere in New Zealand for a flat rate of $10. As a dry mix, it travels well and doesn't need refrigeration until you've made it up.
Can I order bliss balls and jam together if I'm outside Auckland?
If you're outside our local bliss ball delivery area, our checkout will let you know that the bliss balls can't be shipped to your address. You're welcome to remove them and continue with your jam order, which will ship nationwide as normal. If you'd really love to get bliss balls sent to you, message us at hello@realdealfoods.co.nz and we can see if overnight freight is an option.
How long does shipping take?
Once your order is placed, please allow our standard courier timeframes for delivery across New Zealand. We'll send tracking details as soon as your order is dispatched.
Bliss Balls
Are these nut free?
Real Deal bliss balls are made without any nut ingredients. However they are made in a home kitchen environment and we cannot guarantee against cross contamination with nuts or other allergens. Not suitable for those with severe nut allergies. Always check with your school or kindy regarding their allergen policy.
Do they contain sesame?
Yes. We use hulled tahini which is made from sesame seeds. Real Deal bliss balls contain sesame. Please check with your school or kindy regarding their sesame policy.
Are they gluten free?
All ingredients are naturally gluten free. However as they are made in a home kitchen we cannot guarantee against cross contamination. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance.
Are they vegan?
Yes. All Real Deal bliss balls are 100% plant based and suitable for vegans.
Why seeds instead of nuts?
Most bliss balls are made with cashews, peanuts or almonds. We use hemp, sunflower, pumpkin and chia seeds instead which means no nut ingredients and incredible nutrition in every bite. Seeds are rich in plant protein, healthy fats, fibre, zinc, magnesium and iron.
Why less dates?
Dates are the main sweetener in most bliss balls and most recipes use a lot of them. We use less, which means no refined sugar overload and a better balance of protein and healthy fats from our seeds. Steady energy for learning and playing - without the spike.
Are your ingredients certified organic?
Our seeds - hemp, sunflower, pumpkin and chia - are all certified organic. We source quality ingredients and where possible choose organic. Full ingredients list is available on the product page.
Are more flavours coming?
Yes! We're busy developing new varieties - all made without nut ingredients, all seed based. Sign up to our emails to be first in the know.
Storage & Shelf Life
How should I store them?
We recommend storing your bliss balls in the fridge or freezer as soon as they arrive. The higher seed content and lower date content means they are more perishable than heavily sweetened alternatives - which is actually a sign of a genuinely natural product with no preservatives. They'll keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating or eat straight from the freezer, yummo.
How long do they last?
Refrigerated - up to 2 weeks.
Frozen - up to 3 months.
We recommend going straight to the fridge or freezer when they arrive. The fact that they need refrigeration is a good thing - it means no artificial preservatives, just real whole food ingredients doing their thing.
If they need to be kept in the fridge how do I put them in a lunchbox?
Great question! Real Deal bliss balls are fine at room temperature for the day — just pop one or two straight from the fridge into the lunchbox in the morning. They'll be perfectly good to eat by lunchtime and are actually great slightly chilled. Think of it like cheese - refrigerated for storage, perfectly fine ambient for a few hours. We recommend an ice pack in the lunchbox during summer months.
Why do my bliss balls feel oily at room temperature?
This is completely normal and actually a sign of quality ingredients! Our bliss balls are made with certified organic seeds and tahini which are naturally high in healthy unsaturated fats. These fats soften slightly at room temperature - similar to how coconut oil goes from solid to liquid when warm. It doesn't affect the taste or nutritional value at all. If you prefer a firmer texture pop them back in the fridge or freezer. The oiliness you're seeing is essentially plant based goodness doing its thing.
Delivery & Pick up
Where can I pick up?
Local pickup is available from two locations:
Mission Bay Kindy (MBK) — Monday to Thursday at drop off or pick up times. Free.
Mission Bay (home) — Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm. Free.
Select local pickup at checkout and we'll confirm your pickup location and time.`
Do you ship nationwide?
We are currently working on the best packaging and courier solution to get our fresh, preservative free bliss balls to you in perfect condition. Auckland wide delivery is coming soon! In the meantime we offer local delivery to select Auckland suburbs and pickup from Mission Bay.
What areas do you deliver to?
We currently deliver to select suburbs across Auckland including Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Glendowie, Meadowbank, Orakei, Parnell and Remuera. Orders are delivered throughout the week. If you're unsure whether we deliver to your area get in touch at hello@realdealfoods.co.nz and we'll let you know. Pickup is also available from Mission Bay Monday to Saturday.
How long does delivery take?
Local Auckland delivery is typically same day or next day depending on your location and order time. We'll be in touch to confirm your delivery window once your order is placed.
Can I get these in store?
Not yet, but we're working on it! Sign up to our email list to be the first to know when we hit shelves near you.
Getting to know us
Who makes Real Deal Foods
Real Deal Foods is made by Hannah, a mum of two based in Mission Bay, Auckland. Started on maternity leave and driven by a passion for paediatric nutrition, every batch is made by hand with certified organic seeds and whole food ingredients.
Where are Real Deal Foods made?
Real Deal Foods are made in small batches in our home kitchen in Mission Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
I have a question not answered here - how do I get in touch?
We'd love to hear from you! Head to our Contact page or email us at hello@realdealfoods.co.nz and we'll get back to you within 1-2 business days.