Queensland organic flour and wholefoods company Kialla Pure Foods has won Brand of the Year at the 2022 Australian Organic Industry Awards, hosted by peak industry body Australian Organic Limited (AOL).
Australian Organic Awards, Kialla Pure Foods Michelle and Quentin Kennedy.
In 2022, the company launched more than 22 items into the big two major retailers, achieving over 5000 new distribution points and resulting in an 80% increase over 2021 retail sales. Products include the new Waffle Mixes and Overnight Oats, which are “the first products of their kind” to be available on supermarket shelves across Australia.
A pioneer in the Certified Organic industry, the company has been operating from its Greenmount mill on the Darling Downs since 1988. When it comes to Australia’s mainstream retail markets Kialla has focused on its organic credentials to access the growth potential in the broader health marketplace.
A 2020 rebrand emphasised the company’s organic history and its commitment to transparency in the supply chain to build consumer confidence in organics. Its industry leading Plate2Farm Tracker, introduced in 2015 across all packaging, enables consumers to track product back to the farmers who grew the grain. “It continues to educate consumers on the difference between certified organic vs free range/sustainable/eco and the plethora of other greenwash terms being developed and used in the marketplace.”
Owner and Managing Director Quentin Kennedy says the win not only ensures the long-term success of the brand but also underpins the viability of the broader certified organic industry. “Organics is perfectly positioned to meet the growing consumer interest in healthy food, and their desire for more information about how their food is grown and processed,” Mr Kennedy said.
AOL Chief Executive Officer Niki Ford says the Awards were an opportunity to recognise excellence and diversity within organics, and applauded the winners for their contribution to the nation’s $2 billion industry.
“The standard of these awards continues to reach new heights, and this year’s winners demonstrate innovation and leadership within the organic sector and how it continues to progress and evolve,” Ms Ford said.
“It is clear from the winners’ applications they are making a significant impact not just on their businesses, but also the broader industry, while also contributing to the national economy and the wellbeing of Australians and international customers.”
Kialla Pure Foods processes over 15 different grains into specialty flours for artisan bakers and the food manufacturing sector, and offers a wide range of branded retail products, including pancake and waffle mixes, artisan bread mixes, flavoured oatmeals, and wholefoods. Its products are sold around Australia, while the company also distributes to retail and bakery markets in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East.
