On Wednesday 8th of March, Foodsutffs celebrated its annual National Partnership Awards. The 100 percent owned and operated co-operative of New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square acknowledged over 533 suppliers from 170 organisations nationwide.
The event was a celebration and an appreciation of the imperative role the suppliers and organisations play in providing the North and South cooperative with products and more that give customers the best shopping experience.
“We’re mindful the weather events will have impacted many of our suppliers and Foodstuffs team members attending. 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 and over the past few weeks to keep groceries on shelves,” said Chris Quin, CEO of the North Island cooperative.
Several notable awards were handed out, including Grocery Partner, Grocery – Non-Food Partner, Liquor Partner, Fresh Partner and Emerging Supplier, and one overall National Award.
The overall National Partnership Award went to Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene for their ongoing communication throughout the challenges the industry has faced the last few weeks, which has resulted in unique and exciting new products for customers across the country.
"I’m always struck by the passion and commitment of suppliers who, like us, focus 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,” shared the CEO of Foodstuffs South Island, Mary Devine.
The full list of winners are below:
| 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 National Award | Foodstuffs National Partnership Award | Reckitt Benckiser Hygiene |
