The global success of Almondco Australia was celebrated at the 2015 South Australian Food Industry Program Awards on Friday.
The Renmark-based firm, which has been supplying almond products since 1944, was inducted into the Sam Remo Hall of Fame.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell congratulated the company, which produces more than 100 products from 85 per cent of Australia’s almond growers.
Last year, Almondco received a state government grant of $1.9 million to assist it to install a new high-tech pasteurisation system.
“The new pasteuriser gave Almondco a competitive advantage in domestic and global markets and ensured the company’s long term sustainability within the Riverland," he said.
"It has also created $120 million of new business in the past two years."
Other food industry trailblazers recognised at the awards were Ian Young from MexEx, who was awarded the Duncan MacGillvray Entrepreneurs Award, sponsored by PIRSA, and Anthony Paech from Beerenberg Farm receiving the Bickford’s Australia Leader Award.
Food SA chief executive Catherine Barnett said the awards not only recognised some of the industry leaders but first time applicants and a cross section of industry sectors.
“It’s brilliant to see how our industry continues to grow into the future – and last night a number of first time applicants including SOME foods, Podpac and Goolwa PipiCo took home awards,” she said.
“SA boasts some of the finest seafood and horticulture in the world, so it was fitting to reward the SA Prawn Co-operative, Rainbow Fresh and Sunfresh Salads.”
Other award winners included B.-d Farm Paris Creek, Bickford’s Australia, La Casa Del Formaggio, Ceravolo Orchards and Savannah Farm, while Robern Menz took home the Tasting Australia Consumer Award for the second time.
* The full list of winners visit: www.safoodawards.com.au
