Gold Coast, Queensland – Queensland-based vegetable producer Kalfresh has won the AUSVEG Innovative Marketing Award at the 2016 National Awards for Excellence.

The Award winner must also have created new market opportunities for vegetable or potato products, and created the potential for long-term positive effects, through increased sales or awareness.

AUSVEG National Marketing Manager Nathan McIntyre congratulated Kalfresh, based in the Kalbar region in Queensland, on receiving the Innovative Marketing Award during a Gala Dinner event at RACV Royal Pines on Saturday 25 June.

“As an organisation, Kalfresh is constantly looking for fresh, innovative ways to market their produce, from pre-packaged vegetable products to the world’s first carrot beer,” said Mr McIntyre.

“Their pre-packaged ‘Just Veg’ produce line has taken so-called ‘ugly’ produce and turned it into sticks, shreds, coins and snack bags that are now stocked in more than 240 stores across Australia.”

“Their carrot beer, born from a collaboration between Kalfresh Director Richard Gorman and brewer Wade Davis, contained a whole carrot in each bottle and was sold out before they could even bottle it.”

“We applaud Kalfresh for their dedication to creating new market opportunities for vegetable products and their commitment to trying to find opportunities for long-term sales gains.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.

The award is supported by the Central Markets Association of Australia in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia, which represent the authorities or owners of the five central wholesale markets around Australia and the wholesalers and supporting businesses located at these central wholesale markets. It recognises an individual or business which has created an innovative marketing solution, process or program. 

The 2016 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner honoured growers and other members of the Australian vegetable, potato, apple and pear industries for outstanding achievements in their respective fields.

The Awards were the capstone event of the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, incorporating seven co-hosts from across the horticulture industry, which attracted over 1,500 local and international delegates.

For official photos of the awards ceremony, please contact the AUSVEG media contact below.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
: Shaun Lindhe, National Manager – Communications, AUSVEG
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au