As a long-time supporter of the South African media industry, SAPA says that it is aware of the situation facing this sector following the recent closure of several magazine titles.

The annual Galliova Food and Health Writers' Awards are sponsored by the Egg and Broiler Producers of SAPA. The awards celebrate the country's best magazine, newspaper and online food and health writers.

It recognises excellence in:
  • food writing
  • visual appeal
  • food styling
  • the promotion of South African eggs and chicken, and
  • evidence-based health reporting, including nutrition related to eggs and chicken.
In 2020, R144 000 in cash prizes will be awarded across six entry categories, including:
  • Galliova Food Writer of the Year (foodprint and online media)
  • Galliova Health Writer of the Year (health print and online media)
  • Galliova Egg Champion (food / health print and online media)
  • Galliova Broiler Champion (food / health print and online media)
  • Galliova Up and Coming Food / Health Writer of the Year (food / health print and online media), and
  • Digital Food Influencer (invited South African food influencers).
To reiterate its support for food and health writers at this difficult time, SAPA says that it will, for the second consecutive year, award cash prizes to first, second and third placed winners in each category.

The pilot Digital Food Influencer category, which is open to invited food influencers who host a popular digital food platform via a blog, Facebook, Instagram or all three pages, will award one main cash prize only for the overall winner.

An adjudication panel has been assembled to judge entries. Four renowned food journalists and influencers, representing a cross-section of South African cultures and with first-hand experience of excellent food journalism, will join two registered dietitians and two representatives of the egg and broiler sectors of SAPA on the panel.

Due to lockdown conditions, 2020's judging event will be a virtual one. All judges will meet online in October to discuss the entries and confirm the category finalists and winners.

The judging event was initiated by SAPA a few years ago to ensure transparency and fairness in the judging process. In addition, the awards luncheon that is scheduled for Frisday, 16 October will now also be a virtual event, with all entrants and invited SAPA representatives attending online for the winners' announcement.

"This has been a really difficult year for our media, but as SAPA, we wanted to continue to show our appreciation for the country's food and health writers by continuing to sponsor the Galliova Awards in 2020," says Aziz Sulliman, chairperson of SAPA.

To accommodate the disruptive and challenging year, the minimum and maximum number of articles that may be submitted has been reduced. Entrants are asked to familiarise themselves with the adjusted entry criteria here.

For more information, visit www.sapoultry.co.za