Bundaberg vegetable grower Andrew Philip of SP Exports won the vegetable industry’s Innovative Marketing Award this week at the AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, following the success of the ‘drip-free’ tomato in the Australian market.

The award, sponsored by the Brisbane Produce Market, was presented to Andrew Philip at a sold out Gala Dinner at Jupiters Hotel Casino on the Gold Coast in front of almost 400 industry leaders.

AUSVEG CEO, Richard Mulcahy, said that Mr Philip had achieved recent success with a revolutionary new field-grown tomato variety, called Intense, which has now become popular with fast food outlets such as McDonalds, KFC and Hungry Jacks and is also stocked by Coles.

“Mr Philip’s success with this relatively new tomato variety in Australia is to be commended and I wish to congratulate him on the sterling success his company SP Exports has had in the Australian market,” Mr Mulcahy said.

“The Intense variety of tomato grown by Mr Philip is a great success story which other vegetable and potato growers in Australia can learn from. As a value-added product, it shows the benefits which can be enjoyed by innovative businesses in the horticulture industry if they are willing to push the boundaries and respond to consumer needs.”

Originally commercialised by Nunhems, the drip-free tomato is the world’s first full flesh and non-leaking tomato.

“This award recognises the commercial success of the drip-free tomato in Australia, but not only that, it serves to highlight the importance of key vegetable growing areas such as Bundaberg to the national food economy,” Mr Mulcahy said.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing 9000 vegetable and potato growers around Australia.

The Innovative Marketing Award, sponsored by the Brisbane Produce Market, is presented to an individual or business which has created an innovative marketing solution, process or program.

The Intense tomato variety has had a significant impact on the industry, with long term positive effects through sales, awareness and reach, delivering tangible measurable results.

“Consumers expect that vegetable growers in Australia will deliver on similar innovations which are happening overseas. We are proud to say that Australian growers are moving to the forefront in adopting contemporary varieties and growing practices, which are based on the latest science available to them,” Mr Mulcahy said.

“It is vital that vegetable and potato growers continue to respond to the needs of consumers, food service outlets and retailers, and SP Exports has demonstrated just that with their adoption and promotion of the drip-free tomato.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Hugh Tobin, Communications Manager, AUSVEG
Ph: (03) 9822 0388, Mob: 0431 939 920, Email: hugh.tobin@ausveg.com.au