Australia’s best organic retail and online businesses have been recognised by the industry’s most prestigious titles - the highly coveted 2010 National Organic Week Retail Awards - announced last week.
Presented by Australia’s leading organic industry body, the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) and the Centre for Organic and Resource Enterprises (CORE), the annual industry awards were one of the highlights of a national line up of organic events and celebrations as part of National Organic Week from October 1 – 10.
Flannerys has been awarded both the Queensland and National award for the highly celebrated title of Best Organic Retail Outlet.
Director, Tino Van Nieuwburg says: "We are honoured to receive such high profile recognition of our business, which has been a leader in the organic and health food retail industry for over 27 years.
“This title is a fantastic endorsement of our passion for the organic industry as well our commitment to never compromise on quality or substitute for anything but the best certified organic products,” Tino said.
“I believe our success comes down to the hard work of our retailers and their staff who are at the forefront of increasing awareness of the benefits of organic products to the everyday consumers.”
Individual state winners of the award include Aboutlife (NSW), Glo Health (VIC), The Organic Market & Café (SA), City Organics (TAS).
BFA General Manager, Holly Vyner says the awards recognise industry leaders and innovators in the organic retail industry.
“With six in ten households now buying organic and the organic industry set to hit $1 Billion retail in 2010 it is important to recognise those at the coalface of the industry – organic retailers. Retailers play a key role in developing the industry through making organic products and produce accessible and educating consumers about the benefits of organic food,” Ms Vyner said.
“The BFA works with all retailers selling organic products including the provision of free point-of-sales materials and posters for use in educating the benefits of buying organic. However, we also emphasise the importance of organic certification for retailers, particularly for maintaining the organic integrity of loose produce and bulk buy items. It is great to see that a number of winners are certified businesses and we hope to see this trend increase in the future.”