At a recent Gala Evening at the BMO Centre, Field Stone Fruit Wines’ popular Strawberry-Rhubarb Fruit Wine was awarded the BUY ALBERTA FOOD AWARD for Best Value Added Product using Alberta Fruits.

The Buy Alberta Food Awards event, sponsored by the Alberta Food Processors Association, and postponed from June due to flooding issues, finally took place on September 23rd in Calgary, Alberta.  Over 120 foods and beverages from all parts of Alberta were entered in the eleven categories.

During the afternoon of the event, all entries were highlighted at the 3,000 sq.ft. Product Showcase Alberta.  The afternoon included a keynote address from the Dragon Den’s Arlene Dickenson, who spoke to over 300 attendees on the theme of marketing a small business brand.

The day’s activities ended with the Awards Gala, where the eleven winners were presented with their beautiful etched glass Alberta Food Awards trophy to commemorate their achievement.  In addition, each winner received a monetary award to be used for product development, new market development, new packaging or promotional material.  Over 200 processors attended the evening event.

Accepting the award for Field Stone Fruit Wines was Marvin and Elaine Gill.  Receiving their award from Alan Stuart of Bassano Growers, they thanked the Alberta Food Processors Association, Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission, and Alberta Agriculture for their support in developing the fruit wine industry in Alberta.  They also acknowledged all Alberta wineries and meaderies who have been part of this effort.

The Alberta Food Awards is the most significant event to promote the Alberta Food Processing industry in recent memory.  AFPA is a non-profit organization representing all segments of the food and beverage industry: growers, processors, retailers, foodservice buyers and service suppliers.  Established in 1974, AFPA’s mission is to build the competitive advantage of members through quality training, effective promotion and by being the representative voice of members and the Alberta food processing industry.

Field Stone Fruit Wines launched in July of 2005, as Alberta’s first cottage winery.  It was the first business to be granted a license under the Government of Alberta’s new cottage winery regulations, allowing fruit growers to manufacture and sell fruit wines.

 

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