AuraGold Farms Winner @ 2010 Australian Food Challenge Awards

Two beverage products designed less than six months ago have put the Queensland beverage industry on the map by taking out top honours at the 2010 Food Magazine Food Challenge Awards announced in Sydney, Thursday 22nd, 2010.

Accolades went to the AuraGold Farms Ooray Rain Plum Sugar-Free Mixer which beat off stiff opposition to take the Winner’s Trophy in the Non-Alcoholic Beverages category and a Highly Commended Award  for their Ooray Rain Plum naturally Fermented Liqueur, jointly with Stanthorpe based Castle Glen -Australia.

Ooray Rain Plum Mixer 2010 Food Challenge Awards Winner

‘Amazing to think both these products are so young and yet have already gained recognition from the public and industry peers with these awards’, says Scott Mathias, Managing Director of Queensland based , LivingBeautiful Pty Ltd, owners of the AuraGold Farms brand. ‘What is even more amazing is that we were up against opposition who have been in business so much longer than ourselves- names like Bayer, Bickfords -Australia, Madura Tea Estates, The Sunraysia Natural Beverage Company, Good Vibes for You Organic Water and the Stolen Recipe Company’.

Judges described AuraGold Farms Ooray Rain Plum Mixer entry as  ‘innovative, inspiring and filled with passion as well as demonstrating the sustainability of the main ingredient – the Ooray Rain Plum along with a marketing and sales approach which widely uses social media platforms such as FaceBook and Twitter to reach potential customers’.

‘With growing awareness around the concept of ‘sugar-free’ the Rain Plum Mixer fits a market demand which is growing by the month at the same time offering an antioxidant hit which is 100% Pure and Australian – the ingredients are not from overseas which means local farmers and packaging companies gain direct benefit’, says Scott Mathias.

Food Magazine Editor Ms Catherine Pickavet,  says the Food Challenge Awards recognise excellence in Australia’s food and beverage industry, which, according to the Australian Food and Grocery Council, is the largest manufacturing sector  in the country, representing 28% of the market. ‘Manufacturers face the pressure to make food and beverages that comply with a multitude of mandates, both written and unwritten. While these issues present a unique combination of challenges, they also offer opportunities for innovations both home and abroad’, says Catherine Pickavet.

Ms Pickavet added the Awards recognise what the winners accomplished this year as they meet the needs of loyal customers who want food and beverages that excite them, at the same offering direct benefits.

The AuraGold Farms Ooray Rain Plum Sugar-Free Mixer is available online for immediate shipping and from the Noosa Farmers Market each Sunday as well as from all Jan Powers Farmers Markets in and around Brisbane: PowerHouse Market, New Farm  2nd and 4th Saturday; CBD Market, Brisbane Square every Wednesday; Wynnum Manly Market every 3rd Saturday.

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Scott Mathias is the founder of LivingBeautiful Pty Ltd and the creator of a range of Pure Australian AntiOxidant Superfood and Beverage products.

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