Metcash has announced its 2023 Supplier of the Year Award winners, including Real Pet Food, which won Non-Food Supplier of the Year Award (under $25 million).

Held at The Venue Alexandria, the awards were hosted by Giaan Rooney, Olympic Gold medallist and TV presenter, with the event providing Metcash the opportunity to acknowledge and thank its valued suppliers and strategic partners for their ongoing support and commitment to the independent retail network.

Grant Ramage, new CEO of Metcash Food, said every single one of their suppliers deserves recognition for working in collaboration with their retailers and enabling family-owned businesses to compete with the chains.

“To those who have received awards, I can’t congratulate you enough. We look forward to our continued strong partnerships as we continue to transform our network, deliver value to shoppers, and strengthen our brands together in the future.”

Fonterra Brands took out 2023 Supplier of the Year, and Xen Xenofontos, Director Consumer Sales and Marketing (Australia) at Fonterra, said they are thrilled to be receiving this award and proud to continually support independent retailers across the country.

“Through our strategic partnership with Metcash, we’ve been able to help champion successful independents, working tirelessly to achieve great outcomes in what has been a difficult year for many.

“We are grateful for the support of the Metcash team and independent retailers across the country in helping us deliver our vision of being a ‘Consumer Led and Customer Driven’ organisation and we’re looking forward to our continued partnership for years to come.”

In addition to the awards, several key charities were supported at the annual event, with Ramage stating they are delighted to support the Special Olympics, the Humpy Dumpty Foundation, and the McGrath Foundation.

“We are pleased to be able to donate $300,000 to these three amazing organisations and thanks to the generosity of those who attended the event, we were able to take this amount up to $435,000, passing on $145,000 to each charity, which will go a long way in helping them achieve the great work they do every day.”

  • Non-Food Under $25m Supplier of the Year – Real Pet Food
  • Foodservice Supplier of the Year Ingham’s Enterprises
  • Integrated Supply Partner of the Year Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
  • Product Innovation Supplier of the Year Masterfoods Sauce 500ml Pink Bottle
  • Private Label Supplier of the Year International Foods
  • Produce Supplier of the Year Mitolo Family Farms
  • Bakery Supplier of the Year George Western Foods
  • Meat & Seafood Supplier of the Year Sunpork Fresh Foods
  • Delicatessen Supplier of the Year Primo
  • Perishable Under $55m Supplier of the Year Bulla Dairy Foods
  • Perishable Over $55m Supplier of the Year Fonterra Brands
  • Food Under $25m Supplier of the Year Unilever Australasia
  • Food Over $25m Supplier of the Year Mars Food
  • Impulse Under $50m Supplier of the Year Frucor Suntory
  • Impulse Over $50m Supplier of the Year – Asahi Lifestyle Beverages
  • Tobacco Supplier of the Year – Phillip Morris Limited
  • Non-Food Over $25m Supplier of the Year – TCC Distributors
  • General Merchandise Supplier of the Year – Duracell Australia
  • Supplier of the Year – Fonterra Brands
  • Special Olympics Australia Charity Cheque
  • Humpty Dumpty Foundation Charity Cheque
  • McGrath Foundation Charity Cheque
  • Grant Ramage – Metcash Food CEO
  • Joseph Romeo – Chairman of IGA NRC
  • Doug Jones – Metcash Group CEO
  • Giaan Rooney

Here is the full list of the 20 major award winners:

  • Supplier of the Year Award – Fonterra Brands
  • Foodservice Supplier of the Year Award – Inghams Enterprise
  • Integrated Supply Partner of the Year Award – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
  • Product Innovation Supplier of the Year Award – Masterfoods Sauce 500ml (Pink Bottle)
  • Private Label Supplier of the Year Award – International Foods
  • Produce Supplier of the Year Award – Mitolo Family Farms
  • Bakery Supplier of the Year Award – George Western Foods
  • Meat and Seafood Supplier of the Year Award – Sunpork Fresh Foods
  • Delicatessen Supplier of the Year Award – Primo
  • Perishable Supplier of the Year Award (under $55 million) – Bulla Dairy Foods
  • Perishable Supplier of the Year Award (over $55 million) – Fonterra Brands
  • Ready Meals Supplier of the Year Award – YouFoodz
  • Food Supplier of the Year Award (under $25 million) – Unilever Australasia
  • Food Supplier of the Year Award (over $25 million) – Mars Food
  • Impulse Supplier of the Year Award (under $50 million) – Frucor Suntory
  • Impulse Supplier of the Year Award (over $50 million) – Asahi Lifestyle Beverages
  • Tobacco Supplier of the Year – Phillip Morris Limited
  • Non-Food Supplier of the Year Award (under $25 million) – Real Pet Food
  • Non-Food Supplier of the Year Award (over $25 million) – TCC Distributors
  • General Merchandise Supplier of the Year Award – Duracell Australia

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