The 2024 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards program has been officially launched at the South Australian Food, Bev & Tech Trade Show at the Adelaide Showgrounds.
Hosted and managed by Food South Australia (Food SA), the annual awards program has been instrumental in celebrating excellence in SA’s food and beverage manufacturing industry for over 25 years, the organisation said in a news release.
This year’s program encourages participation from all contributors to the South Australian food and beverage industry and reflects the topics of greatest importance and concern faced by businesses today, including mental health & wellbeing as well as ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance).
Ray Borda, Food SA chair, highlighted the value of aligning this prestigious awards program to changing industry conditions and priorities.
“We are committed to creating practical and actionable opportunities for industry-wide growth and development, while also celebrating excellence, quality and innovation,” he stated.
The 18 award categories for 2024 feature new additions which include the Business Improvement Award, sponsored by Visy, the Industrial Foodservice Award, sponsored by Mitani Group, and the Agritourism Award, sponsored by the South Australian Tourism Commission.
Also, the addition of the EatDrink Local SA Award, sponsored by MBL, will celebrate the food service businesses that support and serve local food and beverages on their menus.
According to FoodSA, the Foodland Supermarkets Consumer Choice Award, renamed in line with its popularity, will once again be decided by public vote.
Supported by the Government of South Australia through the Department for Trade and Investment, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has underscored the significance of these awards as a benchmark for excellence and best practice in the state’s food and beverage industry.
“I strongly encourage businesses and individuals from all regions to participate in this year’s program and make the most of the incredible benefits that entering the awards provides,” he noted.
Hon Zoe Bettison, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, commented on the significance of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s involvement in this year’s program.
“We are very pleased to add the Agritourism Award in 2024 and celebrate the contribution of farmgate tourism to our tourism, food and agricultural sectors,” she said.
Brenton Leitch, Independent Chair of Judging, echoed the Premier’s and Minister’s sentiments.
“By participating in the awards program, these businesses have the opportunity to learn about themselves, reflect on their successes and contribute to the overall improvement of the food and beverage industry,” he noted.
Claude Cicchiello, managing director of La Casa Del Formaggio and 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee and 2022 award winner, shared the positive impact of being recognised through the awards program.
“It acknowledged the hard work and dedication of our team, provided a great boost to our brand awareness, not only in South Australia but Australia-wide, and was highly valued by our retail and foodservice partners. Simply entering the awards was an invaluable process – it helped us reflect as a team on what we do, why we do it, where we have been and where we are going,” he commented.
Winners will be revealed on Friday 22 November at the annual Awards Gala Dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the largest gathering on the state’s food and beverage industry calendar, and the only event of its kind in Australia.
Entries for the 2024 South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards open on Wednesday, 8 May and close on Monday, 15 July, providing a longer entry period compared to previous years.
To view all 2024 award categories or to start an entry, visit: safoodbevawards.com.au
