Harvey Beef’s retail operations manager Daniel Briggs and Karl Sleeman, Operations Manager, accept the trophies at the annual Food & Beverage Industry Awards on Monday night

WESTERN Australia’s Harvey Beef earned the ‘Best of the Best’ award at the annual Food & Beverage Industry Awards in Sydney on Monday night, for the launch of its premium range of steak cuts being sold into Coles Supermarkets across WA.

Harvey Beef’s attractively packaged Finest Quality Beef Range, which earlier earned the competition’s Meat, Poultry and Smallgoods category winners award, topped a list of successful red meat award winners on the night.

The awards recognise success and innovation in the food and beverage industry across Australia, covering everything from perishable fresh foods to processed and value-added grocery items.

Harvey Beef’s retail operations manager Daniel Briggs, who accepted the top award, said the company had worked hard to create a range of premium Western Australian beef cuts that customers would love. The new range (scotch fillet, porterhouse and eye fillet – see pack shots here) has been available in Coles Supermarkets across WA since April, and is part of Harvey Beef’s ongoing commitment to working with WA cattle producers.

Click on packs for a larger view

New retail packaging facility

The range is processed and packed on-site at the Harvey Beef plant south of Perth in a new retail packaging facility launched 12 months ago.

“This is a new factory for us,” Mr Briggs said. “We wanted to get our product out in a retail format, both in domestic and export. The opportunity was looking at a product that would extend shelf-life and, in collaboration with Sealed Air, we knew that this Darfresh pack was the best option for us,” he said.

“The standard of entrants this year was extremely high, so we are thrilled to have landed this award,” Mr Briggs said.

Head of Investment for Harvey Beef’s parent company, Minderoo, John Hartman, said customer feedback on the range had been fantastic so far.

The products are clearly identified as local in origin, bearing the slogan, “100% WA”.

“Not only are customers able to buy premium Western Australian beef from a trusted WA company in their local Coles store, they also know they are supporting WA farmers and the broader WA economy,” Mr Hartman said.

“For the team back home, they are going to be so proud of this award.”

According to the judges, there were a number of factors behind Harvey’s ‘Best of the Best’ award.

“Harvey Beef has ticked a multitude of boxes with its Finest Quality Beef Range. Using the best quality Australian beef, they have increased shelf-life in a sustainable way, ensuring that there is reduced packaging and food waste,” judges said.

Harvey beef is a sixth generation Australian owned company, operating since 1919. The business employs more than 450 locals.

Other entries with a connection to the red meat industry to win recognition during this year’s awards included:

• Ready Meals division winner: Andrews Meat Industries’ “Appetite for Healthy” range. Andrews Meat Industries Australia, through subsidiary, Creative Food Solutions, developed a new brand of pre-prepared meals with a focus on a healthy balance of protein and carbohydrates in a larger portion size of 400g. The “Appetite for Healthy” range was launched with four meal variants including Lamb Kofta, Slow Cooked Beef Steak, plus pork and chicken variants all prepared with the flavour and moisture-retaining sous-vide process. While appealing to a broad demographic, the range is seen as being most desirable to 20 – 30 year old professionals and students looking for a balanced meal solution to complement their work and exercise focused lifestyle. The packaging echoes this focus where healthy trigger graphics and typography are complemented by seductive food images.
• Food Safety Equipment and Materials division winner: Scott Automation & Robotics, BladeStop Series II bandsaw with safety cut-off facility.