Food South Australia hosted the 2025 Foodland Retail Ready Workshop last week, delivering a full day of insights, practical tools, and real-world advice to help South Australian food and beverage businesses take their retail strategy to the next level.

Held on 13 August at Foodland Supermarkets’ head office in Adelaide, the event brought together a strong line-up of guest speakers, case studies, and industry experts who shared their knowledge on what it takes to succeed in supermarkets – from product development and compliance, through to marketing, branding, and building strong retail relationships.

Highlights from the agenda included:

• Kristen Eckhardt (Brand SA) on the importance of state brand registration.
• Danielle Elia (Bowlsome) and Phil Donnelly (Mayfair Bakery) sharing case studies on brand growth and expansion.
• Melissa Barclay (Food SA) on good commercialisation practices and food safety considerations.
• Tamara Kemlo (Openbook Howden) on packaging and shelf presence.
• Lisa Canale (Moore Australia) on tax incentives, grants, and financial essentials.
• Adam Harris (Harris Smokehouse) on navigating recalls and withdrawals.
• Verena Davis (MGA Insurance) on risk management and insurance.
• Joel Zamek (Foodland) on current marketing trends shaping supermarket aisles.

The workshop also provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to connect directly with Foodland decision-makers, network with peers, and gain practical advice to avoid costly mistakes while positioning their products for growth.

Commenting on the value and impact of the day, Gianni Cirelli from Cirelli Coffee said the workshop was “insightful and covered a wide range of relevant topics to equip you in the journey of food production for retail”.

Beck Tucker from Betty’s Crumpets added: “There is no need to feel alone in this industry with legends like this around!! It’s an incredible feeling knowing that there is a whole group of people behind you that genuinely want you to succeed

Feedback reinforced the program’s importance in equipping South Australian producers with actionable strategies, confidence, and industry connections to strengthen their retail presence.

The Retail Ready Program, established in 2021 as part of the South Australian Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Awards, continues to play a vital role in helping local producers prepare for retail success. Delivered by Food South Australia with the support of Foodland Supermarkets, the program reflects a shared commitment to helping the state’s food and beverage industry grow, connect, and thrive.