PERTH: At an industry gathering to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Buy West Eat Best program last night, the Western Australia food producer community acknowledged the simple act of collaboration.

The program has grown from strength to strength according to Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director of Food, Deborah Pett.

“The success of the Buy West Eat Best program pays tribute to the hard work of those involved and highlights that food provenance remains a vital consideration for WA consumers.”

Ms Pett highlighted that recent independent market research demonstrated strong Buy West Eat Best brand awareness, with 71 per cent of survey respondents recognising the brand, and 90 per cent of respondents more likely to consider buying a product with the logo.

“When retailers applied the Buy West Eat Best logo to a shelf sticker in store, research showed a sales increase of 10 per cent, with one-in-four consumers actively looking for the logo when grocery shopping.”

“It must be acknowledged that the non-competitive involvement from all major retailers has changed the way consumers see this program. Buy West Eat Best is now an essential value of being a West Australian. This has allowed membership to have grown from 38 founding partners to more than 175, including major retailers, small growers, artisan producers, large-scale processors, restaurant and food service providers.”

Formally launched as a program under the then Department of Agriculture and Food in 2008, Buy West Eat Best provided West Australians and visitors to our State with a trusted State of origin food and beverage brand mark.

The program has evolved from a simple food label to what is now a powerful marketing corporative and has brought more awareness of WA's abundance of beautiful fresh food and the stories behind their producers.

Leading Australian demographer and social researcher, Mark McCrindle who visited Perth for the 10th Anniversary, noted that in conducting the Woolworths Trolley Trends Report and other notable reports for the food industry: amidst innovation and pursuit for the next trend, there is a counter trend, where it's part of a broader thing that Australians are also looking for, something that's wholesome.

“Australians are on the hunt for value, when they discuss value it is broader than just price. It's value in terms of what they value, so it is about sustainable supply chain, it is about nutrition and the quality of the food. They want real food, not just empty food.

“That's where source of the food comes in. There is a premium that they place on local. There is a trust factor and indeed a premium that they place around certain regions and an expectation of a certain quality,” he said.

“So that's where there is great opportunities for foods from WA.”

Influential chef Russell Blaikie and owner of Must Restaurant, also a member said, “It's wonderful to see the traction that has been gained with Buy West Eat Best campaign programs. It's great to be part of.”

Doriana Mangili from Sweeter Banana Co-Operative based in Carnavon added, “We value the opportunities for all producers big or small to network, gain access to markets, attend events and engage in cross-collaboration. The Buy West Eat Best program has been a large part of the success of Sweeter Banana over the past 10 years.”

Founding member and innovator Jim Trandos from Trandos Farms said the program is in a unique and necessary position to bridge the needs of industry and policy makers.

“Buy West Eat Best brings together organisations in the interests of food integrity and promotion through Regional Development Commissions and Regional Food Councils; growers and producers with retailers and restaurants. It is a vitally important label that ultimately reflects the needs of the most important stakeholder of all, the consumer,” he said.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Buy West Eat Best is a people's choice brand, which has evolved into a multifaceted food and beverage industry program.

The label started following a petition of over 50,000 to The West Australian newspaper in 2005 driven by consumers wanting to know more about where their food comes from.

The criteria and compliance requirements behind the distinctive trademarked green bite mark logo ensures credibility and assurance across industry that the licensee's product is grown, farmed or fished in Western Australia and processed and packaged right here in WA.

The rules of the program were constructed to meet the requirements of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Food Standards Code, whereby foods labelled with a place of origin must be grown, fished or farmed in Western Australia or, for processed foods, the 'characterising ingredient' of the food must be grown, fished or farmed in Western Australia. Businesses register to use the logo if their products meet Western Australian content, food safety and quality assurance.

Today, Buy West Eat Best has excellent relationships with all major Western Australian retailers, many chefs, food producers, food councils, development commissions, industry and consumers. It has proven success assisting small, medium and large businesses to secure distribution, sales and achieve profile within the domestic marketplace.

The Buy West Eat Best program has provided a strong platform for collaboration and cooperation across the food supply chain, which has improved members opportunities in quite a competitive domestic marketplace.

The strength of the Buy West Eat Best program is within its ability to work with and alongside all levels of industry to deliver thought leadership and commercial outcomes through the delivery of a meaningful collaborative and co-operative program of activity (at times through partnerships with projects/programs) to boost profile and assist industry to grow.

For further information
Melissa Worthington | Program Manager, Buy West Eat Best
M: +61 (0) 418 90 2121