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NEWS COLES HONOURS AUSSIE PRODUCERS IAustralian businesses, producers and farmers have been recognised for helping to provide essential food, groceries, beverages and service to shoppers across the country during a difficult 2020. n a year marked by drought, bushfires and Covid-19, the combined efforts of Coles suppliers helped the retailer to serve more than 600 million customers safely after the pandemic began, Coles said at the presentation of its 2020 Supplier Awards. Across 14 categories, Coles’ food, liquor and service suppliers were honoured for innovation, service, sustainable practices and community initiatives. Coles CEO Steven Cain said the awards were an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of Coles suppliers across the country. “A key part of our ‘win together’ strategy is to build sustainable long- term partnerships with our suppliers,” he said. “In a year like 2020, with drought, bushfires, floods and then Covid-19, the strength of these partnerships has never been more important, and we’re enormously grateful to our suppliers for their collaboration and commitment to our customers. “\\\\\\\[We\\\\\\\] received a record number of entries, with nearly 400 nominations for 14 awards. “In 2020, Coles Group and its suppliers inspired customers by introducing more than 1600 new products to our supermarkets, liquor, and Express stores with a growing focus on health, convenience, sustainability and local. Together with our suppliers, customers and team members, we also contributed $139 million to the community in FY20, up 21 per cent on FY19.” 2020 Coles Supplier Award winners were: • Coles Fresh Supplier of the Year: Sundrop Farms – for its “outstanding” commitment to quality and sustainability. The business in Port Augusta, South Australia, grows truss tomatoes with desalinated water from the Spencer Gulf and solar power generated from 23,000 mirrors. • Coles Sustainable Supplier of the Year: True Foods – for its investment in its own onsite solar farm, LED lighting and reduced plastic packaging to drive sustainability. The family- owned Australian business produces 14 RETAIL WORLD JAN/FEB, 2021