Award for Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett, Technology Manager with PMA Australia and New Zealand, has been awarded the Ross Peters Memorial Award for Excellence in Food Safety at the 2014 HACCP Awards in Sydney.

Richard was recognised for his work over the last two decades, championing the improved understanding and adoption of food safety and quality management in the fresh produce sector.

On receiving the Award, Richard said :

“It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by my peers in such a significant award category. The fresh produce industry’s safety journey has been a long one with many difficult challenges along the way. At each stage I did all I could to lead, facilitate and inspire those I worked with. In turn, their work inspired me.”

Michael Worthington, CEO of PMA Australia and New Zealand, said the award is well-deserved:

“Richard is an extremely worthy recipient of this award; he has worked tirelessly over 20 years to champion food safety in the fresh produce sector and it is fantastic that he has been recognised for this.”

Richard also works closely with the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, and industry stakeholders at the Fresh Produce Safety Centre for Australia and New Zealand.

Richard Bennett

Growers will remember Richard as the Product Integrity Manager for Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL), a role which revolved around protecting consumer and supply chain confidence in the integrity of fresh and processed horticultural food products across 43 peak industry bodies.

The Ross Peters Memorial Award is awarded each year in acknowledgement of significant contributions made to food safety in Australia or New Zealand.

Congratulations Richard !

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For more information contact :

Helena Whitman
VGA Executive Manager
0407 772 299
helena.w@vgavic.org.au