In December 2009, Woolworths released the official list of winners for the annual Supplier of the Year Awards on their wowlink website.
 
Cantarella Bros, an Australian family business responsible for market leading brands such as Vittoria Coffee, Jarlsberg cheese and Santa Vittoria Italian mineral water was named Woolworths Supplier of the Year for 2009 at the awards ceremony held on Friday 4th December 2009 at Doltone House, Sydney. Cantarella Bros also won Supplier of the Year for Grocery (up to $50 million) category and were nominated for Supplier of the Year within the Perishables category (up to $50 million).

In taking out the overall award, Cantarella beat thousands of suppliers that supply Woolworths, Australia’s No. 1 food retailer, including many of the world’s largest food businesses.
 
Les Schirato, CEO Cantarella Bros, said:
 
“It is incredibly humbling to receive this award which marks a major milestone for our family business, now in our 63rd year. It’s amazing just how far we have come even in the last few decades. The food we were selling 30 years ago is largely the same as what we sell today. However, back then, products like espresso coffee, mineral water, even pasta were seen as a gourmet food area. I recall I couldn’t even get our coffee onto supermarket shelves. They used to tell me Australians will never drink such strong coffee. Today the pure coffee market is worth over $130 million per year and the products we sell have moved into the mainstream. One in every two cups of pure coffee sold in Woolworths is supplied by Cantarella Bros. To be named Supplier of the Year feels like the culmination of 30 years of hard work with Woolworths. We have always punched above our weight as a company and it’s great to be recognised for all the work that we do.”

The Supplier of the Year program was established by Woolworths based on the principle of continuous improvement with suppliers whilst providing feedback on performance. Businesses are scored on their performance in various areas of the Woolworths’ business such as communication, speed to market, problem resolution, initiatives for category growth, store service, logistics, finance, customer complaints and more.
 
Schirato adds:
 
“Our win should give heart to many small to medium sized businesses that you don’t need the scale of a large multinational to set yourself the highest standards for your dealings with your customers. It also demonstrates Woolworths commitment to the Australian community in their 85th year, extends to their Australian suppliers – big or small."