12 Oct 2006

Extraordinary Winner in Restaurant Association Innovators Award

The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has recognised a truly home grown initiative in awarding the Innovators Award 2006 sponsored by Westpac to the Farmers’ Markets of New Zealand.

Presenting the Award, Westpac Auckland Regional Manager for  Business Banking Greg Byrne,  said "Innovators lead the way and set a path that others follow.  There is no doubt that the Farmers Market is an innovative initiative that has built a following in NZ with bustling markets up and down the country all the way from Northland to Cromwell and Dunedin and everywhere in between.  With this award we are delighted to recognise the Farmers’ Markets in New Zealand, a truly home grown and local innovation."

Accepting the award, Ian Thomas of the Farmers Market Association said "Recognition of the Farmers’ Market is an acknowledgment of some good old fashioned kiwi values, of community and of getting on and doing it for yourself.  Farmers Markets are made up of growers, farmers, chefs and most importantly, local communities who believe in good food. NZ has a proud history of world class and diverse primary produce and that tradition is still alive and thriving.  The Farmers Markets are stocked by every day people making, growing and producing quality, fresh, foods as a part of their every day life. 

The Farmers’ Market is a celebration of local produce, it is creating an awareness of primary produce at a regional level and also developing a strong sense of community.  In a society where we are becoming more aware of what is in our food and where it comes from, it is to our advantage to trust the source of our products and build that direct relationship with the grower.

The Farmers’ Market has allowed innovative individual producers producing boutique type products to leverage off the exposure, grow into a great business and even lead into the export market -  something they could not have done without the initial Farmers’ Market concept.

Mr Thomas said that recognition from the Restaurant Association is especially rewarding "For the grower, farmer or producer, on any scale, the aim is to grow, source and sell the best produce possible to ensure the end user gets a quality product .  That Westpac and the Restaurant Association choose to value our efforts and place importance on local produce is a great compliment. These are the country's leading food professionals, recognising that locally grown and locally made produce is the best source for premium quality, freshness and flavour.  It's a big endorsement in our vision and work."

President of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand, Mike Egan said, "I'm thrilled to see the Farmers Markets recognised with the Innovators Award sponsored by Westpac.  Farmers’ Markets are bringing a love of great and flavoursome produce within reach.  For restaurateurs, a huge amount of effort goes into sourcing and maintaining supply of fresh local produce, the Farmers’ Markets make a valuable contribution to that supply by providing ready access for growers to customers. For chefs as well as the everyday food lover Farmers’ Markets provide a stimulating source of top class produce and plenty of culinary inspiration."

For further comment and interview please contact

Bec Williams

Business Sponsorship Manager, Westpac (09) 367 3541

Mobile (0272) 888 453

Ian Thomas

Chairman FMNZ Inc Phone (06) 879 8393 Mobile 027 244 7204 info@farmersmarkets.org.nz

www.farmersmarkets.org.nz

Mike Egan

National President Restaurant Association of New Zealand

Mobile 021 966 677

Vicky Knight Business Development Manager 

Restaurant Association of New Zealand  Phone: (09)6388403

Mobile: 0272201835 vicky@restaurantnz.co.nz

www.restaurantnz.co.nz

Notes on Farmers Markets and the Restaurant Association Innovators Award sponsored by Westpac.

A Farmers’ Market is a food market where local growers, farmers and artisan food producers sell their wares directly to consumers.

Vendors may only sell what they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves from within a defined local area.

Farmers’ Market New Zealand Association works to facilitate the development of a network of authentic Farmers’ Markets throughout New Zealand, supporting their viable operation by sharing information and providing appropriate resources.

Contenders for this award need to be the best in their field, they must be on the cutting edge and have changed the way our industry looks at things.  They must be innovative, have gained the respect from their fellow peers in the industry and be achieving to the highest level.

Previous Innovator’s Award recipients:

2005 Peter Gordon, London/Auckland

2004 Alan Cowie of Alan Cowie Design, Christchurch

2003 Charles Royal of Kinaki Herbs, Rotorua

2002 Moore Wilson’s, Wellington

2001 Chef Michael Lee Richards, Christchurch

2000 Clyde Potter of Epicurean Supplies, Hawkes Bay

1999 Kaye Tollenaar of Pandoro Panetteria, Auckland

1998 Ross McCallum of Kapiti Cheeses, Wellington