Boring Milk, All Good, Fonterra, and Zeta Group won the four national category honours for innovation, sustainability, partnership and own brands partnership in this year’s Foodstuffs National Partnership Awards
The Foodstuffs National Partnership Award went to dairy cooperative Fonterra which was recognised for its “consistent communication of challenges and opportunities through disrupted times, as well as a strong willingness to engage and collaborate, resulting in great new products for Foodstuffs customers”.
Foodstuffs presented 12 awards under two main categories: category excellence in each of the grocery cooperative’s North and South Island businesses, and national recognition.
The awards were announced at Te Pae Christchurch where 258 Foodstuffs suppliers from 47 supplier companies gathered to recognise their integral role in providing Foodstuffs customers with the best shopping experience.
Chris Quin, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island, said the co-op believes it is essential to recognise supplier partners. “Through some of New Zealand’s toughest Covid weeks, for many of our customers just being able to get their groceries was the one constant. It’s something that made a very real difference to our customers, and we should all be proud of the part we each played.”
This year’s awards included a Member’s Choice category recognising suppliers who “strive to push the bar and champion their brands with stores in both the North and South Island”.
Mary Devine, CEO of Foodstuffs South Island, said that – as one of the judges – she had been “blown away” by the quality of the entries.
“The finalists all spoke about their passion for creating quality products that customers love, and making an impact that matters for New Zealand. As a 100 per cent New Zealand-owned and operated business, we absolutely love hearing about Kiwi ingenuity and supporting local business owners to reach new heights. These awards are a celebration of the achievements of our fantastic food and grocery industry in Aotearoa, the innovation and customer focus of suppliers across the country, and the partnerships that make it all happen.”
Morgan Maw from Boring Milk said she was “chuffed” to be recognised adding the award highlights the support Foodstuffs gives to innovation within the sector.
“We’re a young company, only one year old, so to win this award is a testament to the mahi we’ve done and the support we receive from Foodstuffs, we’re really proud to work alongside them on our journey.
“It’s essential that innovation and growth are nurtured in New Zealand, so it’s reassuring that Foodstuffs goes out of its way to celebrate and uplift suppliers like us who are trying new things.”
The full list of winners is:
National awards:
- Foodstuffs National Innovation Award: Boring Milk
- Foodstuffs National Sustainability Award: All Good
- Foodstuffs National Partnership Award: Fonterra
- Own Brands Partnership Award: Zeta Group
Awards for category excellence:
Foodstuffs South Island:
- Fresh Partner Award: MG New Zealand
- Grocery Partner Award: Frucor Suntory
- Liquor Partner Award: Hancocks
- Members Choice: Mondelez International
Foodstuffs North Island:
- Fresh Partner Award: Primor
- Grocery Partner Award: Tom & Luke
- Liquor Partner Award: Pernod Ricard New Zealand
- Members Choice: Prolife Foods
