Leading Australian brands and trailblazing individuals are among the finalists announced today in the Australian Organic 7th Annual Industry Awards, which recognise excellence in the nation’s $2 billion organic industry.
The Awards, coordinated by peak industry body, Australian Organic Limited (AOL), have now run for seven years, and have become both a coveted prize within, and a powerful promotion of, the rapidly growing organic sector.
AOL Chief Executive Officer, Niki Ford, said she was delighted by the volume of high-calibre entries.
“The entries received truly showcased the very best of this dynamic industry we are so proud of,” Ms Ford said.
“These Awards highlight the businesses and individuals who are advancing the organic industry’s future, as well as the broad range of certified organic producers, manufacturers and retailers that play a vital role in the supply of nutritious and healthy food and consumables.
“From horticulture to livestock, apiary to cosmetics and from wine to desserts – the range of industries represented within the Awards demonstrates the reach organic has across food and lifestyle segments, and the rapid rate at which it is growing.”
With the 2020 Awards cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Ford said the break between ceremonies provided a unique opportunity to revamp the awards process and categories.
“We took the opportunity to review the Awards and as a result, we were very pleased to introduce three new award categories this year,” Ms Ford said.
“This includes the ‘Woman in Organic of the Year Award’ to celebrate women in leadership roles, and the ‘Trailblazer of the Year Award’ to showcase individuals who are driving this industry forward and actively contributing to its success.
“Additionally, we added the ‘Manufacturer of the Year Award’ to recognise those who provide leadership in organic manufacturing and product development.”
Ms Ford said the Awards were a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the organic industry in what has been another turbulent but rewarding year, including the release of AOL’s 2021 Market Report revealing a total of nine million Australian households turned to organics in 2020.
“The Australian certified organic industry continues to expand and prosper despite the enormous challenges of bushfires, floods and a pandemic which it’s faced over the past two years,” Ms Ford said.
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Australian Organic 7th Annual Industry Awards will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony at 5pm AEST on Friday, 12 November. A recording of the ceremony will be available on YouTube from Tuesday 16 November.
Awards will be announced across the nine categories, as well as the coveted Hall of Fame and Chairman’s Award winners.
Individual Categories
Young Organic Leader
- Casie O’Brien – AUS-QUAL
- Mick Dan – Good Harvest Organic Farm
- Rachel Davis – Eco-Farms
Woman in Organic of the Year
- Anni Brownjohn – Ozganics
- Kelly Burton – Good Harvest Organic Farm
- Melissa Brown – Gemtree Wines
- Monica Meldrum – Whole Kids
- Theme Rains – Synthesis Organics
Trailblazer of the Year
- Dooley Crighton-Bellamy – Bellamy’s Organic
- Katrina Kehoe – Kehoe’s Kitchen
Farmer of the Year
- Ion Copaceanu – Mount Blue
- Mick Dan – Good Harvest Organic Farm
Industry Categories
New Product of the Year
- COYO Salted Caramel Pre + Probiotic Organic Dairy Free Ice Cream
- Kialla Organic Overnight Oats – Apple Cinnamon 350g
- Meluka Apple Cider Vinegar infused Raw Honey
Retailer of the Year
- Good Harvest Organic Farm
- Honest to Goodness
Manufacturer of the Year
- Essential Flavours
- Flavour Makers
- Kialla Pure Foods
- Organic Merchant
Exporter of the Year
- Angove Family Winemakers
- Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co.
- Meluka Australia
Business of the Year
- Angove Family Winemakers
- Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co.
- Gemtree Wines
- Kialla Pure Foods
