INDEPENDENT GROCERS for Australia

   Media  Release  17  November  2017  

 Community  Co™  celebrates  winning  five  prestigious  consumer  Product  of  the  Year  awards      Over  1400  IGA  stores  around  Australia  are  celebrating  today  after  the  new  Community  Co™  product  range  –  exclusive  to  independents  –  was  honoured  in  the  2018  Product  of  the  Year  awards  winning  five  categories.    Product  of  the  Year  is  the  world’s  largest  consumer  voted  award  for  product  innovation.    Mel  Patel,  General  Manager  of  Private  Label  Metcash  Supermarkets  said,  “Winning  this  award  is  unbelievable  but  true,  just  like  the  range.  Community  Co™  was  launched  just  over  a  year  ago,  so  winning  five  categories  in  the  first  year  in  market  is  a  testament  to  independents  providing  innovative  and  competitive  products  to  Australian  shoppers.”      Community  Co™  was  awarded  Product  of  the  Year  in  the  following  categories  in  the  2018  awards:    Smallgoods  (Prepacked)  Category   Community  Co™  Rindless  Short  Cut  Bacon  175g     $4.70  each  

 Cooking  Oil  -­‐  Sprays  Category   Community  Co™  Extra  Virgin  Olive  Oil  Spray  225g   $3.99  each  

 Chilled  -­‐  Cheese  Category   Community  Co™  Shaved  or  Shredded  Parmesan  Cheese  

125g    

$2.50  each  

International  Food  -­‐  Mexican  Category   Community  Co™  Tortilla  365g  –  various  varieties  –  Wholegrain,  Garlic  and  Original    

$2.79  each  

 Nut  and  Snacking  Category  

 Community  Co™  Nibbles  Honey  Roasted  Cashews  200g    Community  Co™  Nibbles  Salted  Pistachios  200g  Community  Co™  Nibbles  Salted  Cashews  200g  Community  Co™  Nibbles  Salted  Mixed  Nuts  375g    

 $5.99  each  $5.50  each    $5.50  each  $5.00  each        

Jenny  O’Regan,  General  Manager  Marketing  Metcash  Supermarkets  said,  “This  is  an  everyday  brand  that  stands  for  quality  and  provides  great  value,  but  also  gives  back  to  Australian  communities  with  every  product  purchased*.  So  for  the  community  conscious  and  cost  conscious  consumer  –  this  is  good  for  your  hip  pocket  and  good  for  your  community.  That’s  value  with  values!”      “The  award  winning  Community  Co™  brand  not  only  has  unique  packaging  designs,  cheeky  descriptions  and  personality,  but  it  has  also  been  developed  with  responsible  sourcing  practices    

     

 

INDEPENDENT GROCERS for Australia

       in  mind,  using  Australian  produce  wherever  possible.  For  example,  while  the  majority  of  bacon  in  Australian  supermarkets  is  produced  from  overseas  pork,  the  Community  Co™  range  offers  bacon  which  is  made  from  100  per  cent  Australian  pork.  It  also  goes  that  extra  step  to  ensure  pigs  are  Sow  Stall  Free.”      Community  Co™  has  over  100  products  available  at  participating  IGA  and  independent  retailers  across  Australia.  Upcoming  launches  to  make  entertaining  easy  this  Christmas  include  four  ready-­‐made  delicious  pizzas,  4pack  ice-­‐cream  cones  and  sticks  in  various  flavours  as  well  as,  Double  Brie  and  Camembert  specialty  cheeses.      More  information  about  the  Community  Co™  range  is  available  at  www.communityco.com.au.    

-­‐ENDS-­‐    

Join  the  conversation  today  at  https://www.facebook.com/igaAustralia  Media  please  contact:  Robbie  Purcell  –  iga@zing.net.au  /  02  8303  6464      Notes  to  Editors  

•   *1-­‐2  cents  per  Community  Co™  product  sold  at  an  IGA  store  contributes  to  that  store’s  IGA  Community  Chest  fund.  The  new  Community  Co™  mid-­‐tier  private  label  brand  complements  IGA’s  successful  Black  &  Gold  range  covering  the  basic  essentials  at  great  prices,  to  give  customers  great  value  every  day.  

•   IGA  retailers  nationally  have  given  over  $80  million  to  date  together  with  their  local  shoppers  and  give  back  to  the  community  though  sports  and  school  groups,  charities  and  other  worthwhile  causes.    

•   IGA  Community  Chest  sees  SUPA  IGA  and  IGA  storeowners  across  Australia  collect  funds  through  the  sale  of  specially  marked  products  including  Community  Co™  products  and  other  fundraising  initiatives.