Did you know the Sydney Markets feeds one third of Australia? Well, that’s worth celebrating and this week they did just that when TV Presenter Chris Bath emceed the 2017 Fresh Awards at a stunning event held at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art – an event The Carousel is proud to sponsor.
Family businesses were the big winners on the night, with the two top prizes, Greengrocer and Florist of the Year were awarded to family operators, Harbord Growers Market in Balgowlah and B & M Florist in Monterey.
“Whether family run, a partnership between friends or a sole trader, independent businesses are the heart of their local communities,” said Brad Latham, Sydney Markets Limited CEO.
“From waking up at the crack of dawn daily to purchase the best picks to the back-breaking work of harvesting and picking, Greengrocers, Florists and Growers go to great lengths to provide their customers with the freshest and highest quality produce.
“Sydney Markets is committed to recognising their efforts and encouraging more Australians to support their local fresh produce providers.”
More than 300 independent retailers and growers across NSW and ACT participated in the awards, where retailers are measured through a rigorous mystery shopping program over the course of six months. The mystery shoppers make purchases, test industry knowledge, and engage with staff to measure the customer’s shopping journey through the store.
Family businesses account for around 70 percent of Australian businesses. This figure rings true for fruit, vegetable, and flower industry, with many businesses second or third generation family owned and run.
“We have been in the fresh produce industry for more than 26 years, across three generations of family,” Greengrocer of the Year Award winner, Amerigo Gerace from Harbord’s Grower Market, Balgowlah.
“We have worked exceptionally hard to not just supply the best produce for our community, but to also make customers feel like they are a part of our store family. It’s an experience they can’t get at the huge chains and what helps us stand out. It feels extremely satisfying to be awarded for our efforts and really does show that family run businesses will never go out of style with Australians.”
Celebrating the best bloggers supporting independent fresh produce and flower retailers, the awards also include a category for the best stories about local florist and grocers – judged by The Carousel’s Publisher Robyn Foyster and Ch7’s Sunrise’s Edwina Bartholomew (an avid flower arranger)!
The Carousel is delighted to announce that we will be publishing the two winning entries from Lisa Tilse (We Are Scout) and Alice Longhurst and Sharon Williams from Western Sydney Food Blog.
2017 GREENGROCER FRESH AWARDS
GREENGROCER OF THE YEAR: HARBORD GROWERS MARKET, STOCKLAND BALGOWLAH
Best Small Business Winner Finalists:
Winner – Fruitologist, Rozelle
Figtree Greengrocer, Lane Cove West
Fruitologist, Bondi
Sydney’s Best Engadine, Engadine
Best Medium Business Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Kareela Grocer, Kareela
Mountain Fresh Growers, Winmalee
Ziggy’s Fresh, Fyshwick
Best Large Business Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Parisi’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Fruitezy Marketplace, Miranda
Jesmond Fruit Barn, Jesmond
Taste Growers Market, Zetland
Service Excellence Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Mountain Fresh Growers, Winmalee
Best Fresh Grocer, Caringbah
Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Menai Top of the Crop, Menai
Retail Presentation Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Parisi’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Jesmond Fruit Barn, Jesmond
Karelia Grocer, Kareela
Taste Growers Market, Zetland
Knowledge in Action Winner Finalists:
Winner – Jesmond Fruit Barn, Jesmond
Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Richmond Fruit Market, Richmond
Taste Growers Market, Zetland
2017 FLORIST FRESH AWARDS
FLORIST OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER: B & M FLORIST, MONTEREY
Store Presentation Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Native Botanical, Young
Bella Vista Flower Merchants, Bella Vista
B & M Florist, Monterey
Dianne’s Fresh Flowers, Sans Souci
Merchandising and Branding Winner and Finalists:
Winner- Jodie McGregor Flowers, Annandale
B & M Florist, Monterey
Native Botanical, Young
Tulipanna, Bondi
Service Excellence Winner and Finalists:
Winner- Dianne’s Fresh Flowers, Sans Souci
Bella Vista Flower Merchants, Bella Vista
Vanessa Pringle Floral Design, Bathurst
Woonona Florist, Woonona
2017 FLOWER GROWER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Winner S & P Dominello, Peat Ridge
B & B Flowers, Glenorie
Bagala Bros, Horsley Park
T & G Flowers, Horsley Park
2017 PRODUCE GROWER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Winner Vegie King, Rossmore
Goldenfield Growers, Wallacia
Grima Fresh Farm Produces, Horsley Park
P J Fresh Produce Direct, Badgerys Creek
2017 BEST FRESH BLOG AWARDS
Greengrocer Story Winner and Finalists:
Winner- Alice Longhurst & Sharon Williams, Western Sydney Food Blog
Martyna Angell, The Wholesome Cook
Serina Huang, Ms Frugal Ears
Tania Cuscack, My Kitchen Stories
Flower Story Winner and Finalists:
Winner – Lisa Tilse, We are Scout
Bryony Sumner, Northern Aussie Mum
Jenny Wong, See Taste Do
Pamela Woods, Classbunny
For more information about the Fresh Awards visit: www.freshawards.com.au
