Source: Buy West Eat Best
Eighty-five exhibitors are set to showcase up to 600 products at the sixth annual food and beverage trade show on Tuesday, 20 October at Crown Perth.
Presented by the State Government’s Buy West Eat Best program, Meet the Buyer
is Western Australia’s only dedicated food and beverage industry and business trade show and networking forum.
Growing year on year, exhibitor space sold out in record time and delegate registrations are at a record high. The trade floor will be buzzing.
Melissa Worthington, program manager of Buy West Eat Best at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said Meet the Buyer remained WA’s key platform for WA producers and suppliers.
“Each year, we hear the success stories resulting from attendance at Meet the Buyer, of how connections have led to new business, new distribution channels, or business collaborations,” Ms Worthington said.
One example is Corner Dairy in Doubleview which attended Meet the Buyer and now lists products from La Latticiini Delizia and Halls Family Dairy on its menu.
Corner Dairy head chef Dave Thornton has attended every Meet the Buyer since the event began, and last year Owner Manager Ben Wood brought the whole kitchen team.
“Normally there’s a delivery driver bringing produce, so it’s great to meet the people behind the business,” said Wood.
“It’s about making those connections and building those relationships. Then, when you do need something at the last minute, they are only too happy to help.”
Then there is WA Chip, which attended Meet the Buyer for the first time last year and met a Singapore supplier to Michelin-star restaurants, who showed interest and requested samples ahead of exporting a finished frozen product.
“For local producers who have secured an exhibition space, they’ll have the opportunity to connect with buyers and distributors, and they’ll be able to meet producers face to face and discover new products.
“Everyone is there to ultimately secure commercial outcomes, all under one roof and all in one day.
“The reputation of Meet the Buyer as WA’s only dedicated local food and beverage exhibition trade show now consistently attracts delegates from around the state, across the country and from overseas.”
Delegates include major supermarket retailers, independent gourmet grocers, chefs, restauranteurs, hospitality and catering groups, sommeliers, importers, aged care providers, media and educators.
“The relaxed and collaborative atmosphere of the trade show is deliberate, to foster meaningful conversations without the pressure of predetermined timed meetings,” Ms Worthington said.
“For delegates, it’s a day of discovery and opportunity, of finding new suppliers and new ingredients to showcase on a menu or in stores, and importantly, a chance to actually meet the people behind the brands.
“Over the past five years, there have been many success stories as a result of business done at Meet the Buyer. It’s where business connections are made and opportunities grow.”
Independent feedback from previous Meet the Buyer participants shows strong commercial outcomes for WA businesses with almost 80 per cent establishing new business contacts, 70 per cent reporting a positive commercial outcome, and 30 per cent reporting increased sales or revenue within six months. Ninety per cent would recommend Meet the Buyer to a colleague.
WA’s food and beverage manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to the State’s economy, with $9.75 billion in turnover in 2024–25 (up 10 per cent), 1,870 businesses (up 8.3 per cent) and more than 22,000 people employed. For every job in the sector, an additional seven people are employed across the supply chain, equating to more than 150,000 jobs.
Buy West Eat Best is a voluntary food labelling and marketing initiative developed by
the Western Australian Government to assist local food and beverage producers to promote their products to consumers whether they be grocery shoppers or those that dine out.
For more information about Meet the Buyer, visit https://meetthebuyer.com.au/.
The Corner Dairy’s manager Ben at the bar
Rawlicious and delegates discuss their range at Meet the Buyer
WA Chip uses only WA potatoes for their product
Jingili Olive Oil is a delegate favourite at Meet the Buyer
Marshall’s Honey show their beautiful produce off at Meet the Buyer
Nutsy Butter doing business at at Meet the Buyer
About Buy West Eat Best
Buy West Eat Best is a Western Australian Government initiative established in 2008 to strengthen the State’s food and beverage sector through local product identification, marketing and market development to assist local businesses promote their products and grow demand for WA produce.
As Australia’s only government-administered food and beverage brand mark, Buy West Eat Best is a trusted symbol of WA provenance and local pride, championed by industry and supported by the community.
The program plays a strategic role in connecting the WA food and beverage supply chain, building market opportunities for local businesses and strengthening consumer recognition and demand for WA products across retail and foodservice.
Through its distinctive bite mark logo, Buy West Eat Best helps consumers identify local products while championing the buy local message, seasonal produce and the diversity of WA’s food and beverage offering.
By supporting local market opportunities and strengthening connections between industry and consumers, the program contributes to business growth, local jobs, regional economic development and a more resilient, diversified WA economy.
The Buy West Eat Best registered trademark is owned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which administers the program.