Foodstuffs celebrate supplier excellence and innovation at Partnership Awards

Last night Foodstuffs celebrated its National Partnership Awards at Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton, with the event acknowledging over 533 suppliers from 170 organisations across New Zealand for the integral role they play in providing Foodstuffs North and South Island customers with the best shopping experience.

Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says that the co-operative is hugely appreciative of suppliers’ efforts to attend the Partnership Awards, despite facing significant disruptions following Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods.

“We’re mindful many of our suppliers and Foodstuffs team members attending will have been impacted by the weather events, and while so much has happened since the last Partnership Awards in 2022, it’s important to find opportunities to acknowledge the huge effort suppliers have put in alongside our teams across the year as well as over the past few weeks to keep groceries on shelves.

“It’s a testament to the resilience of our industry that despite huge challenges in the last 12 months, the customer-driven innovation in the grocery industry continues to be world-class, it’s wonderful to celebrate that through events like the Partnership Awards,” Chris says.

Foodstuffs North and South Island stores presented five awards each recognising category excellence.  This included Grocery Partner, Grocery – Non-Food Partner, Liquor Partner, Fresh Partner and Emerging Supplier as well as one overall National Award.

The overall National Partnership Award went to Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene, who were recognised for their consistent communication of challenges and opportunities through disrupted times, as well as a strong willingness to engage and collaborate, resulting in great new products for Foodstuffs customers across both islands.

CEO of Foodstuffs South Island Mary Devine says the awards are an important way to recognise the innovation and excellence in the grocery industry and have everyone gather together to celebrate, despite a challenging few years.

"I’m always struck by the passion and commitment by suppliers who like us, are focused on what matters most: feeding our communities. The finalists and winners celebrated at the Partnership Awards demonstrate what can be achieved despite the challenges that come our way,” Mary says.

Foodstuffs congratulates all finalists and winners; a full list is below:

Award Winners

Award Category

Award 

Winner

Foodstuffs North Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs North Island Grocery Partner Award

ANZCO

Foodstuffs North Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs North Island Grocery – Non-Food Partner Award

Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene

Foodstuffs North Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs North Island Liquor Partner Award

DB Breweries

Foodstuffs North Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs North Island Fresh Partner Award

Neat Meat

Foodstuffs North Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs North Island Emerging Supplier Partner Award

Real Rad Foods

Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs South Island Grocery Partner Award

Fonterra

Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs South Island Grocery – Non-Food Partner Award

Kimberly Clark

Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs South Island Liquor Partner Award

Lion

Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partner Award

Hellers

Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence

Foodstuffs South Island Emerging Supplier Partner Award

Mills Bay Mussels

Foodstuffs NationalAward

Foodstuffs National Partnership Award

Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene

Award finalists and winners

Foodstuffs North Island Grocery Partner Award 

Foodstuffs South Island Grocery Partner Award

ANZCO

Fonterra

Hellers Limited

Goodman Fielder

Rogers Distribution

Frucor

McCain

Griffins

Mars

Mondelez

WINNER: ANZCO

WINNER: Fonterra

Foodstuffs North Island Grocery - Non-Food Partner Award

Foodstuffs South Island - Non-Food Partner Award

Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene

Kimberly Clark

Danone Nutricia

RB Hygiene (home)

Vitaco

Unilever

Cottonsoft

Essity

Multichem

Colgate

WINNER: Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene

WINNER: Kimberly Clark

Foodstuffs North Island Liquor Partner Award

Foodstuffs South Island Liquor Partner Award 

DB Breweries

Hancocks

Villa Maria

Lion

Sawmill Brewing

DB Breweries

Double Vision

Asahi

Bach Brewing

Pernod Ricard

Winner: DB Breweries

Winner: Lion

Foodstuffs North Island Fresh Partner Award

Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partner Award

Neat Meat

Hellers

Independent Produce Solutions

MG Marketing

Zakberry

Tegel

Mount Cook Alpine Salmon

Alliance

Beard Brothers

Oakleys

WINNER: Neat Meat

WINNER: Hellers

Foodstuffs North IslandEmerging Supplier Partner Award

Foodstuffs South Island Emerging Supplier Partner Award

Real Rad Foods

Mills Bay Mussels

Move Foods

Breadcraft/Cottage Lane

Newell Brands

Dinner Ready

Arepa

Mackenzie Coffee Co

Frula

Wise Boys

WINNER: Real Rad Foods

WINNER: Mills Bay Mussels

Foodstuffs National Partnership Award

Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene

Hellers

DB Breweries

WINNER: Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene