"VITAMINKA GOOD FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL"

Belgrade, September 28, 2024 – The "Vitaminka Good Food & Wine Festival", which gathered more than 50 exhibitors from Serbia and the region this year, was held in Knez Mihailova Street, on the plateau in front of Rajićeva Shopping Center. As one of the most significant open-air business events, the Festival has, for the sixth consecutive year, promoted small and medium-sized enterprises, showcasing the best agricultural producers and processors, representatives of the wine industry, as well as the authenticity, tradition, and gastronomic culture of our country.

Under the slogan "Everything You Wish For", Belgraders and visitors had the opportunity to taste and purchase, at fair prices, delicatessen meat products and dairy specialties made using traditional recipes, the finest wines and brandies, honey, organic juices, and homemade sweets from different parts of Serbia.

Food lovers were also able to buy products at festival prices and enjoy various activities throughout the event. One of the highlights was our stand, where visitors could learn more about the company, whose products can now be found on the shelves of "Univerexport".

Visitors had the chance to taste delicious pasteurized, preservative-free products – from ajvar and rich winter preserves to homemade jams and juices made according to traditional recipes. Many also tried their luck in prize games and the "Wheel of Fortune" competition.

As part of the festival, our company organized a "With Vitaminka on a First-Name Basis" workshop, where the youngest visitors had the opportunity to learn the basics of healthy eating through coloring special crowns.

To the delight of several thousand visitors, great entertainment was also part of the experience. The official opening of this unique celebration for all the senses was marked by a flash mob and the first public performance of the choir "JukeVox", the children's ensemble of the famous a cappella choir "Viva Vox". The lively atmosphere was further enriched by pop singer Jelena Lalović, known as Jellena, who is making a grand comeback to the domestic music scene this year with a new project. Additionally, the fantastic all-female string quartet from the "Dr. Vojislav Vučković" Music School and the string orchestra from the "Davorin Jenko" Music School delivered stunning performances.

At the official opening ceremony, awards were presented by a panel of journalists to the most outstanding producers in 13 categories, as well as to those who have contributed to the promotion of Serbia’s economic and tourism potential.

THE BEST AMONG THE BEST! VITAMINKA AND VITINKA – THE MAIN STARS OF THE NOVI SAD FAIR

In addition to defending their Grand Gold Cups for quality, Vitinka and Vitaminka together received the highest recognition of the Novi Sad Fair – the TROPHY FOR “ABSOLUTE LEADER IN QUALITY.”

The prestigious "Champions' Night" event, which gathers the best of the best, marked the conclusion of the 90th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad.

A testament to dedication, effort, and quality, Vitaminka and Vitinka products secured an impressive 19 Grand Gold, 8 Gold, and 1 Silver Medal for items such as homemade ajvar, pickles with honey and pepper, strawberry jam, Vitinka mineral water, Vivia natural spring water, and other products that have consistently proven their excellence over the years.

The company emphasizes that the Novi Sad Fair is one of the most significant events for the food and beverage industry in the region, bringing together leading companies and experts from various sectors. They see this fair as an excellent platform for promoting innovations, achievements, and high-quality products.

Winning an award at this renowned event is a recognition of outstanding excellence and confirms that Vitaminka and Vitinka are among the leaders in the food industry.

The companies were honored for their continuous efforts in maintaining exceptional product quality, upholding high production standards, and caring for their consumers.

**“We are especially proud to bring home the title of Absolute Leader in Quality because delivering top-quality products is our ultimate goal.

This prestigious award is the result of teamwork and dedication from all employees. Their expertise, passion, and commitment ensure that these brands remain industry leaders.”**
– Milan Kosorić, Director of Viva Company.

This year, Vitaminka celebrates 75 years of successful operations, and this exceptional award further confirms the company's unwavering commitment to quality and consumer satisfaction.

Vitaminka would like to take this opportunity to thank all loyal consumers for their trust and support over the years. Without them, this remarkable recognition would not have been possible.

The companies pledge to continue delivering premium quality and developing new products that will enrich tables worldwide.

The "Absolute Leader in Quality" award at the 90th Novi Sad Fair serves as additional motivation for the companies to keep innovating and producing top-tier products that will satisfy even the most discerning tastes.

On October 17, 2023, at 3:00 PM in Banski Dvor in Banja Luka, a Ceremonial Academy was held to mark the 75th anniversary of the company Vitaminka.

With the presence of around 300 guests—including public figures, associates, business partners, and media representatives—a rich cultural and entertainment program was organized.

The program began with the composition "Zemljo moja" performed by opera artists Ljubica Vraneš and Dragoljub Bajić, after which the host, Chairman of the Board, Mr. Todor Panić, addressed the audience.

"This is a great day for all of us. A lot of work has been done, and I must take this opportunity to thank my employees, associates, and all partners for their great support over all these years, especially our loyal consumers. Vitaminka has gone through difficult periods over the past decades. In the last four years, we have managed to make strawberries and ajvar fragrant again through our work, and I am convinced that these strawberries and ajvar will once again be enjoyed in various destinations across Europe. We have received great responses, and we are confident that this is the right path… We have completed many projects, and we will present you with excellent products,” stated Mr. Panić.

Tanja Šušić, Director of Production at Vitaminka, reminded the audience of the company's responsible approach to every piece of fruit and vegetable, as well as every jar and household they reach.

"Producing a Vitaminka juice, jam, or ajvar is not easy. To achieve a high-quality, tasty, and preservative-free product, much more time is needed, as the pasteurization process is long and requires patience. Using preservatives would allow for a much higher number of jars, but not ours—Vitaminka’s—because we chose a different, more challenging path. By following only this path, I can proudly say that my children consume all our products, as their mother firmly stands behind the quality of Vitaminka products, along with the support team from the Maintenance sector, which ensures uninterrupted production and machine functionality, and the Quality Control sector, which oversees the entire process from receiving the fruits and vegetables to the final product,” emphasized Tanja Šušić.

The rich 90-minute program of the Ceremonial Academy was further enhanced by a congratulatory message from the President of the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Milorad Dodik, who expressed his pride in Vitaminka’s work and products. In addition to Vitaminka’s representatives, speeches were also given by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Savo Minić, the Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr. Stanivuković, and the President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Banja Luka, Mr. Goran Račić.

"Someone said these are Vitaminka’s days—no, these are Vitaminka’s years. This is something that we in the Ministry recognize, and we see Vitaminka as an ambassador of agriculture from the Republic of Srpska to the entire world. It directly contributes to creating new value and, through the economic and other infrastructure of the Republic of Srpska, serves as proof of the quality of products we have here."

The unveiling of Vitaminka’s new visual identity and packaging was met with great enthusiasm from the guests, followed by an interview with Mr. Saša Vasić, the creative mind behind the company’s complete design and new identity. A loud round of applause accompanied the premiere screening of Vitaminka’s new corporate film “Like Before”.

During the Ceremonial Academy, a special interview was held with former Vitaminka director, Professor Goran Popović, who led the company from 1987 to 1998. He emphasized that despite challenging business conditions, Vitaminka has managed to maintain its operational, financial, technical, and, most importantly, market vitality to this day.

The greatest value of Vitaminka is its people. The company’s owner, Mr. Todor Panić, presented special awards for outstanding achievements and collaboration with employees, partners, and associates. Vitaminka’s Gold Awards for 2023 were presented to:

• JZU Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Srpska for its contribution to maintaining product quality and safety
• Agro Produkt SRB d.o.o., Gospođinci, Žabalj for reliably supplying high-quality vegetables
• Florakom d.o.o., Konjuh, Kruševac for reliably supplying high-quality vegetables
• Agricultural producer Radojica Vidović, Srbac for reliably supplying high-quality vegetables
• Voli Trade d.o.o., Podgorica for long-term cooperation and active contributions in sales
• Bingo d.o.o., Tuzla for long-term cooperation and active contributions in sales
• Tropic d.o.o., Banja Luka for long-term cooperation and active contributions in sales
• Vlastimir Hršum for selfless contributions to the development and improvement of production processes
• Ranko Sajić for exceptional dedication and contributions to production
• Vinka Knežević for outstanding contributions in accounting and finance

A particularly emotional moment came with an interview featuring the Raunig family—three generations who have worked at Vitaminka. The program concluded with a performance by the renowned accordion orchestra “Aleksa Šantić” from Ugljevik.

The Ceremonial Academy at Banski Dvor symbolically marks the beginning of the five-day event "Vitaminka Days" in Gospodska Street, a gift from the company to its city, under the slogan: "Vitaminka - Joy for All Generations."

From October 18 to 22 (from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM), "Vitaminka Days" will feature a large Vitaminka stand in Gospodska Street, along with various installations and activities for all generations of loyal consumers. There will be rich tastings of sweet and savory products, entertainment for children, competitions and prize games, a DJ, and other attractions that will make Banja Luka and its residents live in the spirit of Vitaminka for five days.

A special highlight for visitors in Gospodska Street will be the 10,075 gifts that will be distributed during "Vitaminka Days", symbolically thanking everyone who was born, grew up, and matured with this company over the past 75 years.

Welcome to "Vitaminka Days"!