Outstanding partnerships, innovation and customer value took centre stage at Foodstuffs 2026 Partnership Awards.
Held at Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, the annual awards brought together more than 400 guests and 43 finalist suppliers from across the Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island co-operatives.
Across both co‑operatives, eight Category Excellence Awards were presented to suppliers demonstrating standout performance in Fresh, Grocery Food & Beverage, Grocery Non‑Food & Consumables, and Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) partnerships.
Within the Foodstuffs South Island Category Excellence Awards, Sanitarium won the VMI Partnership Award.
David Hulley, Supply Chain Engagement Manager, Sanitarium Health Food Company, said it was an incredible honour to be recognised as Foodstuffs South Island’s VMI Partner for 2026.
He said it was a strong validation of the business’ commitment to supply excellence and customer-centric partnerships.
“For us at Sanitarium, we are committed to understanding our customers and showing up for them every single day. It’s also a reflection of a broader, team-based effort across our supply chain,” said Hulley.
“From planning and manufacturing through to customer engagement, everyone plays a vital role in delivering reliable service and meeting customer expectations."
This recognition is a testament to our Sanitarium values and the trust our customers place in us.
At the heart of this recognition is the team’s hands-on, collaborative approach to Vendor Managed Inventory.
Vendor Replenishment Planner Geoff Moore has been working closely with retail replenishment teams daily, building an understanding of customer needs while balancing supply chain capabilities.
This has allowed Sanitarium to respond quickly to changes in demand, proactively manage constraints, and ensure clear, timely communication when challenges arise.
Hulley added that the team was proud of what they have achieved together and excited about the opportunities ahead to continue strengthening relationships through close collaboration, shared planning and open communications.
As successful supplier-retailer partnerships are key in today’s environment, Sanitarium is focused on aligning its forecasts with those of its retail customers to respond more effectively to changing consumer demand.
