The FMCG team mingled with Foodstuffs staff and exhibitors at the Foodstuffs NZ Fresh Food Expo in Palmerston North in August.

This biennial expo event, which has been running for 12 years, showcases New Zealand’s finest food products to owners and operators of New World, Pak’nSave, Four Square and Shoprite owners nationwide. Over 1200 trade visitors attended the show this year and there were 175 exhibitors.

The FMCG stand was well placed, right next to NARGON, with account managers Peter Corcoran and Juleigh Buchan in attendance. Feedback gathered at the event was very positive with many visitors commenting that they have achieved excellent results through FMCG magazine this year.

NARGON executive director Trina Snow said: “The Foodstuffs Expo allows us to get together with our members and suppliers face to face. Maybe because this show is dedicated to the grocers, the suppliers appear to go the extra mile with their displays. The atmosphere, while remaining professional, is generally relaxed which makes this show a pleasure to attend.

“The highlight for me was catching up and meeting the members and suppliers – it is always good to put a name to a face.”

Many Foodstuffs group members and staff attended the expo, from Four Square Greytown, Featherston, Eketahuna and Pirinoa to Carterton and Masterton New World and Pak’nSave stores from all over New Zealand.

Among the many highlights, Henergy and Breadcraft from the Wairarapa exhibited at the show as they sell nationally through the Foodstuffs group.

Breadcraft/Cottage Lane won the coveted award for ‘Best bakery display’ this year, beating 20 other bakery stands and well known national brands such as Yarrows, Goodman Fielder, Bakels and George Weston Foods. The award winner was commended by the four national judges for its superior marketing, product innovation and interaction with Foodstuffs members.

Foodstuffs Wellington’s first cake competition was also a great success with more than 100 highly creative entries that drew admiring comments and much camera clicking from viewers at the expo. The organisers and judges were impressed by all the entries from 40 bakers in 16 stores throughout the lower North Island who rose to the challenge of creating imaginative cakes and toppings.