02 Jun

Biosecurity Farmer of the Year

Posted by 5 in Awards and accreditations
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In 2013, Huon were named the Australian Biosecurity (animal) Farmer of the Year. In a first for the Australian Farmer of the Year awards, Huon are the first aquaculture company to receive this prestigious award.
The award recognizes that farming, regardless of whether it is on land or in the water faces many of the same risks. Originally cattle and sheep farmers, Peter and Frances Bender understand how important it is to keep livestock free from the risk of disease. That is why they have worked closely with Huon's veterinarian, Steve Percival to develop a preventative health plan to ensure that diseases do not access the fish in the first place. “People often think that because we employ a veterinarian that we must have sick fish, but actually he works closely to avoid our fish getting sick initially,” said Frances Bender. “Our main focus is to produce the best quality salmon and that means fish health and biosecurity are number one in our farming practices.”
02 May

Defence Employer Support Awards

Posted by 5 in Awards and accreditations
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In 2014, Huon Aquaculture received The Australian Defence Force Supportive Employer Awards at an awards ceremony at Government House. The Employer support awards aims to formally recognise the contribution employers have made to Defence Reservists as they transition into and continue their time within the workforce. Huon was acknowledged as a supportive employer by its own Defence Reservist, Steven Hore who works on the farm in Tasmania’s south. As a supportive employer, Huon often gives Steven time off to pursue training and workshops with the defence forces. Huon will aim to continue supporting Steven and respect his dedication to the armed forces.
04 Oct

Tasmanian Safety Awards

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In 2013, Huon won the “best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue” in the Tasmanian Safety Awards conducted by Work Safe Tasmania.
This award was won for the development and introduction of predator proof pens that will be rolled out throughout the company by 2015. These new pens are designed to keep predators such as seals and bird life out of the pens and to keep our workers and fish safe. A major feature of the new pens is an enclosed walkway which has eliminated 90 per cent of slips, trips and falls. The introduction of the new pens has already achieved great occupational health and safety outcomes and is already attracting international interest for its clever design that achieves safer work practices. To find out more about our new pens click here.
05 Oct

Tasmanian Exporter of the Year

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In 2012 Huon were named the Tasmanian Exporter of the Year for their dedication and commitment to building greater relationships with overseas markets. This commitment now extends beyond Japan which initially was the only overseas market for the Tasmanian salmon industry. This would not have been achieved if Huon had not decided to start selling salmon under their own brand which commenced in 2007. “Huon has been exporting salmon, particularly to Japan, since the industry began but in those days it was in other companies boxes”, said Frances Bender. “We now sell proudly under the Huon brand promoting not only Tasmania but also our own beautiful region of the Huon Valley”. Since the Huon brand was launched, Huon Aquaculture has exported around 20,000 tonnes of product to many countries in Asia  - equating to more than $130million dollars. “Our customers and end consumers in Asia are fascinated with the story of where their food is grown and who grows it.  It is important to them that the food is clean and safe and that fits perfectly with our story and also that of the Tasmanian brand."
"Our motto is simple and shared by many Tasmanian’s – we don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best.”
30 Sep

Huon salmon looks better, tastes better and is better

Posted by 2 in Awards, Awards and accreditations, Community, Huon salmon, Press Release, Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards, Sydney Royal Fine Food Show
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Consecutive Best in Shows for Huon Aquaculture’s Banquet Slice Tasmanian Smoked Salmon at the 2010 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show and 2010 Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards have proven once and for all that the Tasmanian producer really is the best in the business.
Both awards were coveted by other salmon producers but it was Huon’s unique Banquet Slice product that was deemed a cut above the rest, collecting an unmatched perfect 100 points winning the Richard Langdon Champion Product in Show in Hobart. Co-founder of the innovative Tasmanian family owned company Huon Aquaculture, Frances Bender, said that the whole team was thrilled to again be recognised for its quality products amidst a world class field. “To be awarded Best in Show at Hobart in addition to receiving Champion Salmon Product for our Banquet Slice Smoked Salmon at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show is just amazing,” said Mrs Bender.
“Our commitment is always to strive to do our best and produce the best and we are able to do that because of a genuine love and belief in the product we are sending out to fine dining restaurants and consumers around the globe.
Premium Smoked 1B“We have had a wonderful success rate with awards in recent times and are extremely proud of the fact our locally produced products are considered of such high grade by so many local, national and international judges.” The awards come as a testament to Huon’s commitment to using stress free, sustainable methods of production that see their salmon raised to mirror the natural life of salmon in the wild. It also comes on top of the recognition that Huon Aquaculture products received at the Sydney Fine Food Awards earlier this year, being one of six finalists, from a field of 5000, in the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW President’s Medal. Huon Banquet Slice Smoked Tasmanian Salmon is slow smoked for up to 40 hours over red gum logs, is sliced horizontally for versatile use and contains no artificial additives.
“The way the salmon in trimmed allows for finer presentation and the traditional methods used to smoke the fish adds a unique wood-smoked flavour,” Mrs Bender said.
“We are not the biggest producer but we maintain that with our dedication to quality and fine produce, we are certainly rated as one of the best and the awards mirror this sentiment.” Tasmanian salmon is a $300 million a year industry. Interstate sales of Tasmanian salmon account for over 85 per cent of total production, indicative of the high quality of Tasmanian salmon and its reputation as a market leader across Australia. Huon Banquet Slice Tasmanian Smoked Salmon is mainly distributed to restaurants but with the increased recognition it is receiving it is now being stocked in good quality fishmongers, delis and stores around the country.