Woolworths honours Woodlands Dairy with two awards

SOUTH AFRICA – Woodlands Dairy has emerged as the leader in the Sustainability Award, achieving an impressive 89.2% score in Woolworths’ Factories for the Future sustainability evaluation.

The company also had its science-based targets officially validated, reinforcing its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing sustainable manufacturing practices.

During the Woolworths Supplier Conference and Awards, a new chapter in supplier recognition was unveiled, setting a higher standard for excellence across the retail giant’s Foods business.

For the first time, Woolworths introduced a metrics-driven evaluation framework, an approach that combined rigorous data analysis with leadership insight to ensure that both performance and values alignment were considered in honoring top suppliers.

This refined system marked a shift toward transparency and accountability, aligning supplier recognition with Woolworths’ strategic priorities.

It emphasized not only operational success but also ethical leadership, innovation, and sustainability—core pillars of the company’s long-term vision.

One of the most coveted accolades, the Supplier of the Year – Long Life Category, was awarded to a supplier that demonstrated outstanding performance across several key areas.

These included exceptional delivery in both value and volume of goods received, consistently high order fulfilment rates, and proactive growth initiatives.

The supplier also maintained a dedicated support structure tailored to Woolworths’ business needs, while showcasing clear innovation and quality improvements—evidenced by a reduction in customer complaints and product returns. Importantly, the recipient met verified BBBEE compliance standards and maintained strong ethical practices, with no critical audit issues reported in the past two years.

The news comes as Woolworths Mascarpone with Fig & Pecan Nuts, crafted by RFG Foods, claimed the coveted 2025 Product of the Year title at the South African Dairy Championships, held in Cape Town. 

The event, organized by Agri-Expo, celebrated 192 years of dairy excellence, spotlighting the industry’s finest offerings after a record 1,110 entries were evaluated by over 100 expert judges. 

The winning mascarpone was praised for its creamy texture and innovative condiments, highlighting South Africa’s growing reputation for world-class dairy production.

The championships, rooted in an 1834 tradition established by the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society, showcased fierce competition across categories like butter, cheese, ice cream, and cottage cheese. 

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE