The company Santa Catarina Indústria Conserveira, S.A, based in Calheta, São Jorge Island, was distinguished with five awards at the 4th National Competition for Canned Fish that took place in Santarém.
The Azorean cannery won, for the fourth consecutive year, the most important award that distinguishes the "Best of the Best" with the product "Tuna Fillet with Azorean Chilli Pepper," which also won a Gold Medal.
These prizes were awarded after being assessed by a jury in a blind tasting of products from several Portuguese canneries, according to the contest rules for canned products made in Portugal. Santa Canary also won two gold medals with the products "Tuna Fillet in Organic Olive Oil - 250 gr" in glass jar and "Tuna Pâté with Oregano."
In addition, The Azorean cannery won a silver medal with the product "Tuna Fillet with Curry."
These contests, held in blind tasting events, are intended to stimulate production quality, disseminate the best products from different regions of the country, and encourage the consumption of these products as well as to promote the establishment of contacts between producers, companies, technicians and enthusiasts.
For the first time this year, the contest also included the assessment of the aesthetic quality and design of packages. Santa Catarina cannery received an honourable mention in this category for the very good presentation and careful choice of the graphic pattern and the colours of the labels.
By being distinguished with the main prize, Santa Catarina cannery is entitled to have its own stand, free of charge, at the Prazer de Provar Exhibition Room held under the National Agriculture Fair, which will take place in Santarém from June 6 to 14.
In April 2013, the company Santa Catarina Indústria Conserveira, S.A was identified as a "brand that generates added value for the country" in the context of the project "Portugal Inspira," an entrepreneurial initiative that aims to promote Portuguese brands and products.
With the creation of a platform for the identification of national products and services, the project aims to disseminate high-quality products and services in the national market that sometimes are not identified as being national. The promotion of a conscious consumption with impact on the development of economy is another goal of this initiative.
Santa Catarina cannery, now included in this platform, is a tuna cannery that operates in the village of Calheta, São Jorge Island. It is also the island's largest employer with 130 workers, of whom one hundred are women.