Greek Yoghurt brand, Chobani has won at Woolworths annual Supplier of the Year Awards. The yoghurt company took out the 2017 Overall Supplier of the Year and the Perishables Supplier of the Year awards among strong competition in Sydney.
“Chobani launched in Australia five years ago and has quickly become one of Australia’s most loved brands. Chobani was selected for the top award among a number of strong contenders because they are not afraid to doing things differently, and for consistently bringing innovation and passion to the category,” said Steve Donohue, Woolworths director of Buying and Merchandising.
The Supplier of the Year Awards recognised suppliers to Woolworths in 22 categories. In a new category introduced this year, Cadbury Blocks 350g won the Best Always/Prices Dropped Award, while B E Campbell was awarded Meat Supplier of the Year and Kailis Bros awarded Seafood Supplier of the Year.
Blantyre Farms were awarded the sustainability award in recognition of their ongoing efforts to reduce food waste, with Simpson Farms named Fruit Supplier of the Year and Aaron Laboratories as Woolworths FoodCo Supplier of the Year. For the second consecutive year, Tasmanian based R&R Smith were awarded Organic Supplier of the Year.
“R&R Smith has been supplying Woolworths with Organic Apples under the Macro Brand since 2006. Their approach to organic best growing practices and their aim to make premium organic fruit accessible to all consumers aligns with our own vision for the Woolworths Organic category,” Donohue added.
Other companies on the winner’s list included Mondelez, Peters Ice Cream, Perfection Fresh, Aaron Laboratories and Nestle, with M&M Blocks named New Product Launch of the Year. Individuals were also recognised including Hanna Fold from Unilever for Account Director of the Year and Marie Gallagher as Woolworths Category Manager of the Year.
“We’d sincerely like to thank our suppliers for their collaboration and partnership throughout the year which has allowed us to provide our customers a wide range of quality brands and products. We look forward to working with our suppliers in 2018 and continuing to deliver quality products at great value for our customers,” said Donohue.
