The glorious aromas and mouth-watering sights of the annual Foodstuffs New Zealand Trade Expo filled Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds in early April. Hundreds of supermarket suppliers showcased their latest product launches there, as well as fresh produce, store equipment, delicious deli items and everything inbetween.
The Foodstuffs Expo at ASB Showgrounds is an impressive event in every metric. About 1,500 supermarket owners, grocery managers and category department staff meet at the event with around 290 suppliers and guests. There were more than 4,100 attendees in total this year.
This year’s Gala Dinner was hosted by Te Radar and the Foodstuffs Supplier Awards were a highlight of the evening with Market Gardens winning the Best Produce Display and taking out the top prize of Overall Best Foodstuffs Expo 2016 Display. The Award for Best Liquor Display went to Yealands.
Foodstuffs New Zealand’s Head of External Relations, Antoinette Laird was thrilled with the showing from suppliers and response from attendees. “It was great to bring the show back to Auckland this year, and the ASB Showgrounds is a great venue for an event of this scale. Expo 2016 was a huge success, the facilities were great and feedback from exhibitors and attendees was overwhelmingly positive,” says Laird.
“This year we have teamed up with Kiwi Harvest, an Auckland-based food rescue charity responsible for distributing the equivalent of 20,000 meals each month to those in need across the community. All left over edible food products will be donated to Kiwi Harvest who will distribute the goods to some of the 45 Auckland charities they support,” says Laird.
Any products leftover that were not food-related were donated to Auckland Women’s Refuge.
More highlights and product innovations from the Foodstuffs Expo 2016 will feature in the May edition of FMCG Business.
