Riff Takes Sustainable Snacks To Europe
A team of student entrepreneurs from Harper Adams University will represent the UK at the European finals of the Young Enterprise competition in early July with their sustainable snack brand, Riff, which transforms rescued fruit into high-fibre snack bars.
The four-member team—Lucie Campbell, Hannah Plush, Ava Kind and Caden Aycliffe—developed the business after identifying an opportunity to tackle food waste while promoting healthier snacking. The idea originated from surplus bruised bananas in the university’s community fridge and has since evolved into a registered business producing minimally processed, plant-based snack bars.
Riff’s products are made using rescued “wonky” fruit that would otherwise go to waste. The company also incorporates freeze-drying techniques and uses parts of the fruit that are often discarded, including banana peel and cacao husks, in an effort to maximise nutritional value while reducing food waste.
- Four Harper Adams University students founded Riff.
- Business began as a university project.
- Inspired by surplus bruised bananas in a community fridge.
- Produces high-fibre, plant-based snack bars.
- Uses rescued “wonky” fruit to reduce food waste.
- Employs freeze-drying technology to maximise fruit use.
- Includes fruit components often discarded, such as banana peel and cacao husks.
- Initial range features four flavours.
- Plans to introduce seasonal limited-edition flavours.
- Registered as a business after success at the Young Enterprise National Finals.
- Selected to represent the UK at the European Young Enterprise Finals.
- Focuses on sustainability, nutrition and circular food production.
The brand’s initial product range includes four flavours: Wonky Banana & Peanut, Wonky Cacao & Hazelnut, Wonky Spiced Apple & Seed, and Wonky Berry & Seed. The team also plans to introduce seasonal limited-edition flavours using rescued produce as different fruits become available throughout the year.
Speaking about the company’s rapid development, team spokesperson Lucie Campbell said the project began as a university business assignment but quickly gained momentum following positive feedback from industry experts at the Young Enterprise National Finals.
“What began as a hands-on university project to test business lecture learnings has seamlessly transformed into a registered business, thanks to the upbeat reactions we received from numerous industry experts who sat on the Young Enterprise National Finals panel, who assured us that the moment was ripe for a ‘planet responsible’ brand like Riff to succeed,” Campbell said.
Each snack bar is designed to provide around 10 grams of fibre, reflecting the company’s focus on gut health as well as sustainability.
The European Young Enterprise Finals will be held during the second week of July, where the Harper Adams team will compete alongside student businesses from across Europe.
