A local business claimed a top award at a gala function as part of the Sydney Markets’ Fresh Awards last week.
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Florist Stephanie Cooke and her team at Native Botanical have won the Knowledge In Action Award for florists statewide.
Another local business, Hilltops Fruit Barn, were a finalist, but ultimately had to settle for a spot in the top four.
Sydney Markets revealed the winners of the 2016 Fresh Awards at a gala function at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.
From the 60 finalists vying for the Fresh Awards, 15 businesses and individuals from the Greengrocer, Florist, Grower and Blogger sectors walked away with an impressive package of prizes and the honour of holding the winning titles for the next 12 months.
Featuring Chris Bath as Master of Ceremonies, and entertainment by David Campbell, the inaugural event was an industry first, filled with flourish and stunning displays of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.
“This win is a significant industry acknowledgement as these awards are the highest in NSW for our industry,” Stephanie said.
“These awards hold the most credibility for our industry.
“We go up against some fantastic businesses statewide who probably have better access to products than we do.
“It was a fantastic result for Hilltops Fruit Barn to make the finalists too.
“They deserve a lot of credit for their efforts.
“Our win is great recognition for all the hard work my team does.
“We couldn’t do the work we do without great support from our local customers,” she said.
Launched in 2015, the Fresh Awards program recognises excellence and innovation in fresh produce.
The program represents Sydney Markets’ commitment to supporting the independent retailers and local growers who are an integral part of the Markets and the industry.
Over 500 independent retailers and growers participated in the program, with retailers being evaluated through an intensive mystery shopping program and industry assessment.