From 12-18 August, it’s time to show some love to the businesses that make our state so awesome. Buy SA Week is a celebration of our quality products, passionate businesses and shopping habits that make our state great.

How to get involved

Throughout the week, there’ll be loads of special offers, tastings and giveaways from SA businesses state-wide, plus awesome competitions to enter. Find all the details at Buy SA Week. (external s.

Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Brand SA has teamed up with Food SA to bring you tastings and giveaways of your favourite South Aussie products happening right around the state (external site), including big names like Barossa Fine Foods, Spring Gully and Balfours (yum!).
• Want to sample more of what SA has to offer? A whole host of locations are slinging free tastings and chances to sample products this week. From artisan cheese and handmade chocolates to Jurlique and Maine Beach skincare, there’s something for everyone. Plus, a whole host of cellar doors and local distilleries will offer free tastings of SA’s world-class wine and spirits.
• Need inspo for locally sourced weeknight dinners that don’t cost a fortune? There’s a special cooking demo (external site) at Adelaide Central Market featuring Supermarket Swap’s Nabula Brdar and former Masterchef contestant Larissa Sewell (pictured right). They’ll be whipping up an affordable, family-friendly recipe using the freshest SA ingredients.
• Competitions (external site) are also in full swing. Win fantastic prizes like SeaLink holiday vouchers and massive gourmet hampers by supporting local businesses online or instore. There are also five $100 Coles gift cards up for grabs thanks to The Photo of the Day Competition (external site).
• Special offers and big discounts (external site) are also everywhere this week – bakeries, restaurants, wineries and pubs are going all in to make your food and entertainment bills cheaper. For fashion and beauty fans, there are big savings and freebies at cult local brands Katya Komarova, Bokinni Swim and Emu Tracks.

Why choose local?

Buy SA Week is part of Brand SA’s ongoing ‘Buy SA. For SA’ (external site) campaign, which highlights all the reasons to buy local year-round. Every time you buy South Australian, you’re not just getting a great product or service, you’re giving our state’s economy a boost.

Even a small change in your spending habits can make a big difference. If everyone spent just one extra dollar in every $20 of their grocery shop on local brands, that would mean up to $2 billion extra each year pumped back into our community, creating jobs, giving small businesses a leg up and strengthening our economy.

But the benefits of buying local go way beyond the economy. It’s also about keeping our communities connected and celebrating the unique character of South Australia.

The SA yoghurt enjoyed around the world

The Yoghurt Shop’s success story is a prime example of how supporting local businesses can lead to incredible things. Starting as a single shop in the Adelaide Central Market, they’ve grown into a global brand, employing more than 100 South Australians.

“The community that built us was South Australian,” says The Yoghurt Shop’s Chief Operating Officer Brandon Reynolds. “For us to be able to support that team we need consumers to come through and buy our products.”

As they’ve grown, The Yoghurt Shop (external site) has stayed true to its roots, sourcing local ingredients like Kyton’s Anzac biscuits, Murray Bridge milk, and even locally made containers for its popular caramel crumble yoghurt.

“Buying SA is so important because every time you’re buying a South Australian product, you’re supporting a South Australian person,” Brandon says. “Whether it’s employees at The Yogurt Shop, our supply chain, or the farmers on the farm, it means that you’re putting money in the pocket of a South Australian.”

Enzo’s at Home: Bringing restaurant quality to supermarket shelves

Enzo’s at Home is another example of why buying SA is best. Local legend Enzo Fazzari founded his iconic Italian restaurant of the same name in 1999, and since 2004 the business has evolved to also offer heat ‘n’ eat meals that bring the taste of authentic Italian cuisine directly to your home.

While Enzo closed his beloved Italian restaurant this year, “Enzo’s at Home is about carrying on its tradition of restaurant-quality, ready meals,” says Matt Fazzari, Enzo’s son and Director of Enzo’s at Home. “We only supply independent retailers, like Romeo’s, IGA and Drake’s, because we believe in supporting family businesses just like ours.”

The second-generation family business has thrived thanks to the support of local South Australians who appreciate its quality and authenticity. “Our products are made in South Australia with traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients – and they’re made with passion. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s so special,” says Matt.

Now celebrating 20 years, the business increasingly ships interstate, so Australians across the nation can enjoy the authentic South Australian-made flavours of Enzo’s at Home (external site) meals.

An iconic collaboration

The support of South Australian shoppers has also allowed iconic fourth-generation family business Spring Gully Foods (external site) to launch a new native range of sauces in collaboration with First Nations-owned Red Centre Enterprises.

Spring Gully was founded in 1946, pickling onions and gherkins in Rostrevor. Its offering has expanded massively since then, but Managing Director Russell Webb says the special thing about Spring Gully products remains its quality and flavour. He puts that down to the local ingredients and high standard of production.

Yuandamarra, one of Red Centre’s business owners, says you can’t get more local than the new native range of sauces. All the native ingredients are sustainably and ethically harvested by Aboriginal communities on their lands, “so you create these amazing products, but you also create opportunities for our communities,” he says.

Buying local can be cheaper

“Buying local is great for your wallet because you’re not paying for travel and transport costs,” says chef Callum Hann, a member of the Brand SA Advisory Board.

“When you’re buying local and seasonal, normally it’s more convenient and you save yourself money,” he says. Seasonal fruit and veggies are naturally cheaper and tastier, so ditch the out-of-season stuff and let your tastebuds (and wallet) thank you. Find more tips for buying SA on a budget here (external site).

Simply the best

Let’s be real, South Aussie products are simply the best. From the fresh produce grown on our farms to iconic treats like Port Elliot Bakery’s monthly doughnut specials and Coopers Original Pale Ale, you know you’re getting top-notch quality when you buy SA.

It’s also incredibly accessible – from the Adelaide Central Market to heat ‘n’ eat meal companies like Enzo’s at Home, Vintage Chef Co (external site), Eatwell by Kitchenhand (external site) and The Prep House (external site), it’s never been easier for time-poor South Aussies to buy local without leaving home.

Shopping local – in person or via home delivery – is a win for the environment as well. Whether you’re stocking up at your local fruit ‘n’ veg store, sharing a cheeky bottle of McLaren Vale wine with friends, or treating yourself to Bracegirdle’s handmade choccies, you’re reducing your carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation emissions from interstate and overseas companies.

Even better: It’s more than just food!

There’s a whole lot of local talent producing awesome gifts for everyone in your life, so next time you need to spoil someone for their birthday (or just treat yourself!) check out these handy local shopping and gift guides:

• SA shopping guide for fashion brands (external site)
• SA shopping guide for beauty brands (external site)
• SA shopping guide for craft spirit producers (external site)
• SA shopping guide for independent beer producers (external site)
• SA gift guide for supporting First Nations businesses  (external site)
• SA gift guide for the mum or mother figure in your life (external site)
• SA gift guide for the dad or father figure in your life (external site)
• SA gift guide for the special someone in your life (external site)
• SA gift guide for Christmas (external site)

How to buy local year-round

Joining the ‘Buy SA. For SA’ movement is easy:

• Look for the state logo: Keep an eye out for products with the State logo or ‘Buy SA. for SA’ tags.
• Shop at local markets: Check out the Adelaide Central Market or the Barossa Farmers Market for the freshest local produce.
• Support SA-owned stores: Shop at places like Foodland, Drakes, and Tony & Mark’s, as well as all those awesome independent stores.
• Get out and about: Remember there are a whole host of fun (and delicious!) events and activities to get involved in during Buy SA Week, including free tastings, cooking demos and special deals. Find out what’s happening near you (external site).

To learn more about Buy SA. For SA., click here (external site).