Organicus Information

Organicus, a company that produces a range of certified organic soups, breakfast cereals, compotes, jams and trail mix, supplies bulk-packed finished products to more than 20 Accor hotels around Australia and more than 70 Sumo Salad stores. Negotiations are in play with large private hospital and healthcare operator Ramsay Health. In just two years since that "defining moment", Andronicus has taken revenues from $250,000 to $1million a year. She expects continuing strong growth. "We're adding new products and new sites and expect 200 per cent growth over the next 24 months. With a family tradition in food, (a grandfather was co-founder of Andronicus Coffee), the food industry seemed destined to have Nici Andronicus in its midst. Representing Australia in modern pentathlon and triathlon for a decade, racing internationally to become world No2 in 1997 and being a three-time national triathlon champion says a good deal about stamina and determination. It also provided her with considerable insight into the nutritional benefits of a good diet. "Training as an ultra-fit athlete, you see fresh food and a varied, balanced diet as the most effective way to build resistance. "The pressure you put on yourself as an athlete is huge but it pales into insignificance when (you're) faced with cancer." Although the food service market is intensely competitive, Andronicus says gaps remain. "Organics is well looked after at the grassroots level. You open a magazine, you read about Jamie Oliver suggesting you use organic eggs. At the high end, you find organic food in five-star hotels on the menu. The middle market has missed out. I want to influence them to have organic available. That's why we have worked with Accor. This area has not been well serviced." The debate about the health benefits of organics continues. What is certain is that certified organic food is free of preservatives, additives and hormones, that nutrition levels are higher in organic than non-organic and that many chefs, for example, enjoy the richer ...