Woolworths names its top suppliers of the year

Woolworths has named its top suppliers in its annual Supplier of the Year Awards, with yoghurt brand Chobani and family-owned Mulgowie Farming Company rising as the cream of the crop.

Chobani was awarded Overall Supplier of the Year, while also taking out the Chilled category for its ongoing commitment to delighting customers and delivering market-leading new formats like its Gippsland Dairy Mix-ins, exclusive to Woolworths.

“Chobani issn’t afraid to do things differently, whether it be creating new formats to meet our customers’ changing needs, or problem solving to ensure reliable supply through the challenges of the pandemic,” said Paul Harker, Chief Commercial Officer of Woolworths.

“We’re proud to share a dedication to creating better experiences everyday with this leading brand,” Harker said.

The Sustainability Supplier of the Year went to Mulgowie Farming Company, whose focus on improving soil health not only cares for and regenerates the land, but increases the resilience of crops and enables sequestration of carbon into the soil.

Hailing from Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, family-owned Mulgowie has partnered with Woolworths for almost 40 years, supplying sweet corn and green beans.

This year, it became the first vegetable grower in Australia to generate Carbon Inset Credits certified to the International Organisation for Standards requirements. The business was also awarded Fruit and Veg Supplier of the Year.

“The Mulgowie team are true stewards of the land, planting the seeds for a better tomorrow,” Paul Harker said.

“Not only are they lifting the bar for sustainable farming, but they’re also delivering quality fresh vegetables and more weather-resilient crops so our customers can enjoy their incredible produce year-round,” he said.

The awards ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of Woolworths’ Supplier of the Year Awards, and included special recognition awards for those who have shaped categories and relationships over the last two decades.

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Smallgoods supplier D’Orsogna took out two of these awards, recognised as a partner that has consistently worked with Woolworths to deliver quality deli products that meet the changing needs of customers over the years. The business was awarded 20-year Significant Contribution as both a company and for D’Orsogna Account Manager, Colin Sullivan – one of the longest serving current Woolworths account managers of any supplier.

Colin Sullivan shared the award with Felice Testini, owner of Trade Partners, who has launched 28 products in Woolworths stores since 1999 and is renowned for his passion and knack for bringing new products to the shelf.

“Every week we serve millions of Australians in communities across the country, and none of it would be possible without the teamwork that takes place between our team and our suppliers,” Hark said.

“It’s the people behind these businesses, from growers to account managers, who work alongside us each day to deliver great products to our customers. Their dedication has persisted through the most challenging of situations, as we’ve seen over the pandemic.”