Wholesalers, Retailers and Growers dressed to impress for the eighth Fresh State Gala Ball. For the second consecutive year the house was jam packed at the Peninsula, Central Pier, Docklands. Guests were kept refreshed with excellent food and wine, matched by a full program of entertainment.
Fresh State CEO, Jason Cooper, took on the role of MC for the night, with Fresh State President, Shane Schnitzler, presenting awards and the ever popular This is Your life presentation. This year saw a record crowd of 650 in attendance. The night’s festivities were opened with a video overview of the Melbourne Market and the services offered to members by Fresh State, followed by the Fresh State Industry awards.
Award winners on the night included, Fresh State Business of the Year awarded to Latorre’s Fruit & Vegetable Wholesalers, Fresh State Personality of the Year awarded to Brett Collins from Perfection Fresh. The Young Marketeer of the Year was won by Michael Granieri from Granieri’s Fresh Produce. As part of his prize Micheal gets a trip to the US to attend Fresh Summit in 2018. The new Buyer of The Year award winner was Yarra Valley Farms.
The famous ‘This is your Life’ presentation was awarded to Vince Brancatisano, formerly from V Brancatisano & Sons (Veg) and now with Ferrinda Fresh.
Special thanks to the Fresh State Gala Ball Platinum Sponsors Toyota Material Handling, the Melbourne Markets Credit Service and Mr Fresh, as well as Gold Sponsors The Atlantic Group, Origin Energy, the Melbourne Market Authority and CHEP Australia.
Watch the video highlights here
For media enquiries or further information on sponsorship opportunities for the Fresh State Gala Ball in 2018, please contact the Fresh State office.
Platinum Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
From left: Fresh State president Shane Shnitzler, Market Personality of the Year, Brett Collins, Young Marketeer of The Year, Michael Granieri.
From left: Buyer of the Year, Yarra Valley Farms, Wholesaler of the Year, Latorre’s Fruit and Vegetables
From left: Fresh State Staff and partners, The team from Platinum sponsor, Mr Fresh
‘This is your Life’ recipient Vince Brancatisano