BEACHPORT producers Mark and Kate Wheal are celebrating after their pork label Beachport Berkshires won a silver medal at the 2018 Australian Food Awards (AFA) in the Branded Pork category.
Ms Wheal said they had been farming free range pigs for seven years, but only launched their pork brand in January so they could sell their product directly to consumers and make it available locally.
She said they decided to enter the awards to benchmark their pork against other brands.
“To win silver was a wonderful surprise, but it does match the very positive feedback we have had from people who have eaten our pork and its given us a huge confidence boost going forward to further market our product,” Ms Wheal said.
“We are lucky enough to have our pork stocked in a number of local butcheries and retail outlets while also on the menu at the Caledonian Inn in Robe.
“We’re now hoping to see our award-winning pork on the menu of more Limestone Coast restaurants and cafes so people can know they are eating high-quality local product.”
Beachport Berkshire’s certified free range pork entry won three out of five judging categories, narrowly missing out on gold by a few points.
The AFA, conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), offers Australian producers broad opportunities to leverage their success locally and internationally with AFA’s national brand seal of quality.
Entrants have the opportunity to benchmark against set criteria, receive invaluable independent feedback from industry experts and be rewarded for excellence.
Customers looking to purchase the award-winning products are encouraged to visit Collins Court Butchers, Mount Gambier, Meeks Butchers in Penola and The Shearers Cook Café and Central Hub Market in Millicent.
