Confectionery giant Robern Menz has won the top gong in the 2020 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards. FMCG companies Dinko Tuna Farmers and Lifestyle Bakery and Alexandrina Cheese Company were also among the recipients.
“When we launched the 2020 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, we already knew this year’s theme of Sharing our Stories was very appropriate,” Food South Australia CEO Catherine Sayer told a gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre last night.
“As everyone has been saying all year, none of us expected what 2020 has served to us, so it has been especially inspiring to learn the stories behind the winning businesses in this year’s awards.
“The challenges of 2020 aren’t the first obstacles many of our winners have overcome, but in this new Covid-normal world, the grit and resilience of an industry that is so important to South Australia’s economic well being is being celebrated tonight.”
While Mitolo Family Farms won the Awards Hall of Fame. The Leader Award was given to Michael Horrocks of Lifestyle Bakery for creating a gluten-free bakery.
The Next Generation Award was awarded to Kieran Donoghue of Safcol Australia and the Emerging Business Award was given to Never Never Distilling Co. Golden North’s Simply Indulge ice cream and Goolwa PipiCo’s Whole Clam Chowder received New Product Awards.
Sayer added in a statement that The South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards showcases the top businesses in the local industry for over 20 years. They have driven growth in the sector and created brands that are popular in Australia and internationally.
“Congratulations to the food and beverage industry whose hard work and innovation is recognised through these awards. The sector has grown in 2020, even through the difficult year that we have endured. The sector is characterised by excellence in food and beverage production, manufacturing and marketing to ensure that South Australian products are rewarded by more than their fair share of the retail and food service market,” said South Australia premier Steven Marshall.
2020 Winners
Hall of Fame, sponsored by San Remo: 2020 Inductee: Mitolo Family Farms.
Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Visy: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Goolwa PipiCo. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Sundrop Farms.
Emerging Business Award, sponsored by Department for Trade and Investment: Winner – Never Never Distilling Co.
Export Award, sponsored by Department for Trade and Investment: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Dinko Tuna Farmers. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Yumbah Aquaculture.
Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by Department for Trade and Investment: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Dinko Tuna Farmers. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Team Unico.
Innovation in Food or Beverage Award, sponsored by Food Processing Equipment: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: All The Things. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Lifestyle Bakery.
New Product Award, sponsored by Foodland Supermarkets: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Goolwa PipiCo (Whole Clam Chowder). Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Golden North Ice Cream (Simply Indulge range).
Primary Producer Award, sponsored by Thomas Foods International: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: feather&PECK – pastured eggs. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Fleurieu Milk Company.
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Peats Soils & Garden Supplies: Winner – Sundrop Farms.
Leader Award, sponsored by Bickford’s Group: Winner -Michael Horrocks, Lifestyle Bakery.
Next Generation Award, sponsored by Macro Group Australia: Winner – Kieran Donoghue, Safcol Australia.
Consumer Award, sponsored by Statewide Super: Winner – Businesses with up to 15 FTEs: Alexandrina Cheese Company. Winner – Businesses with more than 15 FTEs: Robern Menz.
