HIGHLY awarded greengrocer, Parisi’s Food Hall has maintained its reputation by securing the Greengrocer of the Year Award at this year’s Sydney Sydney Markets Fresh Awards last night.
Sydney Markets announced the winners of its annual Fresh Awards which saw NSW and the ACT’s best greengrocers, florists, growers, wholesalers and bloggers recognised for excellence in their fields.
The Fresh Awards provide a platform for encouraging and recognising best practice and innovations in fresh produce and flower growing and retailing.
Sydney Markets’ Fresh Awards manager, Sue Dodd, said the calibre of this year’s finalists were among the awards’ finest.
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“Customer service, quality and value are imperative to business, but for small business, it is at the heart of its survival,” Ms Dodd said.
“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.”
Sydney Markets’ Fresh Awards are one of the industry’s most highly-regarded accolades.
The winners were honoured this evening during an award ceremony at The Star in Sydney.
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 chief executive officer, Brad Latham, said the Fresh Awards are a great source of pride for Sydney Markets, it gives us the opportunity to recognise the hard work of greengrocers, florists and growers from NSW and the ACT.
“Whether family run, a partnership between friends or a sole trader, independent businesses are the heart and soul of their local communities,” Mr Latham said.
Sydney Markets is home to the Sydney Produce Market, Sydney Flower Market and Sydney Growers Market. Supplied by over 20,000 local and interstate growers, more than 700 businesses call the Sydney Markets home, selling fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers to florists, fruit retailers and consumers.
2018 Fresh Awards Winners and Finalists
GREENGROCER AWARDS
2018 Greengrocer of the Year: Parisí’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Finalists
- Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
- Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
- Ziggy’s Fresh, Fyshwick
Best Small Business: Rossi’s Fresh Grocer, Carlingford
Finalists
- Bondi Rd Fruitologist, Bondi
- Fruitologist, Rozelle
- Plumpton Fruitworld, Plumpton
Best Medium Business: Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
Finalists
- Freshworld, Maroubra
- Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
- Ziggy’s Fresh, Fyshwick
Best Large Business: Fruitezy, Chatswood Chase
Finalists
- Country Growers, Brookvale
- Fruitezy Marketplace, Miranda
- Parisí’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Service Excellence: Wollombi Road Providore, Cessnock
Finalists
- Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
- Kareela Grocer, Kareela
- Rossi’s Fresh Grocer, Carlingford
Retail Presentation: Parisi’s Food Hall, Rose Bay
Finalists
- Fruitezy, Chatswood Chase
- Harbord Growers Market, Balgowlah
- Kareela Grocer, Kareela
Knowledge in Action: Martelli’s Fruit Market, Cherrybrook
Finalists
- Cronulla Gourmet Grocer
- Freshworld, Castle Hill
- Ziggy’s Fresh, Belconnen
FLORIST AWARDS
2018 Florist of the Year: B & M Florist, Monterey
Finalists
- The Floral Decorator, Erskineville
- Pure Flowers, Lane Cove
- Pearson’s Florist, Chatswood
Retail Excellence: The Floral Decorator, Erskineville
Finalists
- B & M Florist, Monterey
- La Vie En Rose, Beecroft
- Pearson’s Florist, Chatswood
Merchandising and Branding: Jodie McGregor Flowers, Annandale
Finalists
- B & M Florist, Monterey
- Native Botanical, Young
- Pure Flowers, Lane Cove
Service Excellence: 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: 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: East Coast Wildflowers, Mangrove Mountain
Finalists
- Bagala Bros, Horsley Park
- Eagles Greens Supplies, Ourimbah
- S & P Dominello, Peats Ridge
WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR: 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: Sydney Food Sisters, Effi Tsoukatos & Caterina Sterrantino
Finalists
- Five Bean Foods, Elissa Steel
- See Taste Do, Jenny Wong
- Travel with Joanne, Joanne Karcz