Dairy Free Down Under on way to being ’Big Cheese’
GOLD Coast company Dairy Free Down Under is on its way to becoming the “big cheese”, after winning a prestigious business award.
Dairy Free Down Under, which is now Australia’s only large-scale manufacturer of gluten-free, dairy-free, veganfriendly cheese substitutes, was named this week the winner of the Emerging Business catego- ry of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards in June.
Directors Kevin and Jenny Flanagan, who also own fruit wholesaler Family Fresh, said they cannot believe response the company has received to its products.
“When we launched the products nationally, the reaction was simply amazing,’’ Mr Flanagan said.
“The phone in the office was ringing off the hook with inquiries from companies wanting to know more about the products.
“We are now selling products throughout Australia and we are already attracting a few bites from parties overseas.”
Mr Flanagan said it has taken more than three years to research and develop its range of cheese substitute products.
“Some people thought we were crazy when we told them what we were doing but we recognised there was a growing niche for non-dairy and vegan-friendly food,’’ he said.
“There were similar products available from overseas manufacturers, but no Australian company had successfully developed and commercialised dairy-free cheese alternatives.
“We had a few struggles during the research and development phase, but it has already proven incredibly successful.”
Mr Flanagan said winning the award is a reward for many years of hard work.
“We were exceptionally excited to hear that we had won the award,’’ he said. Other category winners:
●Family Business: GCD Exhibitions
●Retail, Wholesale and Distribution: HiSmile
●Construction and Trades: Dynamic Hydro Excavations
●Manufacturing: Timbertone Garage Doors
● Professions and Business Services: Burchills Engineering Solutions
●Health and Wellbeing: POGO Physio
●I.T. and Digital Business: onPlatinum ICT
● Tourism, Hospitality and Events: Global Tour Specialists
●Student Employability: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
●Mayor’s Innovation GC: ISR Training and Recruitment.