Aussie food to bring Americans new year cheer

Austrade media release

18 Dec 2006

Some of Australia’s finest foods will tempt Americans from coast to coast to extend their holiday season feasting into the new year during supermarket promotions being held as part of G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007.

Americans will find it hard to resist Australia’s culinary delights during the “Top Tastes from Down Under” promotion being held in upmarket food chains in Los Angeles and New York City from January 3-31.

Supermarket chains Bristol Farms in LA and Citarella in New York will have a distinctively Aussie flavour throughout January, enticing shoppers on both coasts to buy up local specialities such as wagyu beef, lamb, olive oils, fruit paste, cheeses and seafood.

Kylie Hargreaves, Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in LA, said that Australian fine foods have made significant inroads into the competitive LA fine food and wine marketplace and now look set to break into the Big Apple.

“If you want to find a top-end product from almost any country in the world, you’ll find them in New York or LA and in such a competitive marketplace it is often hard for small Australian suppliers to stand out from the crowd.

“This month-long promotion will increase the profile of Australian fine foods and target American consumers and key decision makers at some of America’s top speciality food retailers in one of the largest markets in the world, home to some 42,000 supermarket stores.

“Australian companies have made the most of this increased profile. The average long-term success rate for new product lines in US supermarkets is around 5%, however, as a result of Bristol Farm promotions over the past three years around 40% of the Australian fine foods displayed during the event are now included as permanent lines on the shelves,” Ms Hargreaves said.

Mike McMahon, Bristol Farms food buyer, said that his customers have high standards and are always impressed by the high quality of Australian products.

“Our customers appreciate top quality products and are always on the look out for the highest quality and the best new tasting products from around the world and Australia never fails to impress our customers,” Mr McMahon said.

Bristol Farms is a leader in the Californian gourmet speciality food market, operating 14 stores with an annual turnover of more than A$250 million. Citarella is one of New York City's most celebrated fine food stores and has locations in the prestigious Hamptons as well. This year seven of Citarella's stores will be participating in the promotion.

Some of the Aussie products lining the shelves this year will include Greg Norman’s Signature Wagyu Beef, Australian Lamb, Brookfarm macadamia mueslis, nuts and oils, Valley Produce Company truffle infused honey and fruit pyramids, Red Island and Yellingbo olive oils, King Island and Dairy Vale cheeses.

G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 is produced by the Los Angeles and New York offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism Australia, Qantas Airways, Austrade, State Governments and other private sector sponsors. For further information on events being held during Australia Week please visit www.australia-week.com

Kylie Hargreaves, Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, is available for media interviews.

ENDS

Media contact

Adam Blight
Ph: 02 9390 2336
Mob: 0412 890 599
adam.blight@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre.