PORT AUGUSTA tomato grower Sundrop Farms won the Sustainable and Ethical Excellence Award at the Coles Supplier Awards at a gala dinner in Melbourne last night.
The Spencer Gulf-based company established a 20 hectare glasshouse using solar power sourced from 23,000 mirrors and desalinated seawater from the nearby waters, to grow truss tomatoes 365 days a year.
Sundrop Farms managing director Steve Marafiote said the team was delighted to receive the award.
“Our whole team is over the moon with the award. After so many years in the planning, it was very rewarding to start delivering our first tomatoes to Coles in June. To receive this award now is great recognition of the progress we’ve made together,” he said.
Fruit and vegetable growers took out three out of the seven categories, including NSW blueberry grower Mountain Blue Farms winning Product Innovation and the Community Champion Award going to Vic apple grower 9mile Fresh.
The innovative farm began supplying Coles earlier this year as apart of a 10-year contract.
