Sydney Markets has announced the winners of its annual Fresh Awards which recognise NSW and the ACT greengrocers, florists, growers, wholesalers and bloggers.
The Fresh Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts as well as the feedback of mystery shoppers who visited the businesses over a six-month period. Nominees are judged on a number of areas including store appearance, customer service, product knowledge, produce quality, range and freshness.
Sydney Markets CEO, Brad Latham said the wards gave Sydney Markets, which is home to the Sydney Produce Market, Sydney Flower Market and Sydney Growers Market, the opportunity to recognise the hard work of these businesses.
“Whether family run, a partnership between friends or a sole trader, independent businesses are the heart and soul of their local communities.”
The awards also aim to provide a platform for encouraging and recognising best practice and innovations in fresh produce and flower growing and retailing according to Sydney Markets’ Fresh Awards manager Sue Dodd.
“Customer service, quality and value are imperative to business, but for small business, it is at the heart of its survival.”
“Each of our winners have exceeded the expectations of both the industry and the general public in each of these areas. It is a testament to their continued hard work and dedication to their trade.”
The winners were announced this week at an awards ceremony at The Star in Sydney.
The winners and finalists were:
2018 Fresh Awards Winners and Finalists
GREENGROCER AWARDS
2018 Greengrocer of the Year
Winner: Parisí’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Finalists
Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
Ziggy’s Fresh, Fyshwick
Best Small Business
Winner: Rossi’s Fresh Grocer, Carlingford
Finalists
Bondi Rd Fruitologist, Bondi
Fruitologist, Rozelle
Plumpton Fruitworld, Plumpton
Best Medium Business
Winner: Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Finalists
Freshworld, Maroubra
Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
Ziggy’s Fresh, Fyshwick
Best Large Business
Winner: Fruitezy, Chatswood Chase
Finalists
Country Growers, Brookvale
Fruitezy Marketplace, Miranda
Parisí’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Service Excellence
Winner: Wollombi Road Providore, Cessnock
Finalists
Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Kareela Grocer, Kareela
Rossi’s Fresh Grocer, Carlingford
Retail Presentation:
Winner: Parisi’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Finalists
Fruitezy, Chatswood Chase
Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Kareela Grocer, Kareela
Knowledge in Action:
Winner: Martelli’s Fruit Market, Cherrybrook
Finalists
Cronulla Gourmet Grocer
Freshworld, Castle Hill
Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
FLORIST AWARDS
2018 Florist of the Year
Winner: B & M Florist, Monterey
Finalists
The Floral Decorator, Erskineville
Pure Flowers, Lane Cove
Pearson’s Florist, Chatswood
Retail Excellence
Winner: The Floral Decorator, Erskineville
Finalists
B & M Florist, Monterey
La Vie En Rose, Beecroft
Pearson’s Florist, Chatswood
Merchandising and Branding
Winner: Jodie McGregor Flowers, Annandale
Finalists
B & M Florist, Monterey
Native Botanical, Young
Pure Flowers, Lane Cove
Service Excellence
Winner: Pure Flowers, Lane Cove
Finalists
Allflowers.com.au, Emu Plains
B & M Florist, Monterey
Bunch It with Country, Narellan
GROWER AWARDS
Produce Grower of the Year
Winner: Grima Farm Fresh Produce, Horsley Park
Finalists
Goldenfield Growers, Wallacia
Maries Bella Zucchini Flowers, Berkshire Park
P J Fresh, Badgerys Creek
Flower Grower of the Year
Winner: East Coast Wildflowers, Mangrove Mountain
Finalists
Bagala Bros, Horsley Park
Eagles Greens Supplies, Ourimbah
S & P Dominello, Peats Ridge
WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Goldenfruit, Sydney Markets
Finalists
Export Fresh, Sydney Markets
Fresh Fellas, Sydney Markets
Roy Cave & Sons, Sydney Markets
BLOGGER AWARD
Fresh Blogger of The Year Award
Winner: Sydney Food Sisters, Effi Tsoukatos & Caterina Sterrantino
Finalists
Five Bean Foods, Elissa Steel
See Taste Do, Jenny Wong
Travel with Joanne, Joanne Karcz
