Everyone loves a beautiful food product for a gift – especially if it’s in gorgeous packaging. Next time you’re looking for a food gift, rather than grabbing something from a supermarket, it’s worth tracking down something unique online, with most companies shipping immediately.

A range of innovative food producers below, will be showcasing various products at leading trade expo, Fine Food Australia this year, on 5-8 September at Melbourne’s ICC.

“Whilst a lot of niche products may not be at your local shops, they are readily available from websites,” says Product and Event Manager, Andrew Lawson. “It’s just a matter of placing an order online. This has become more and more the norm – customers are really relishing when they find a special product that they really like and have fun telling others how they came across it and why.”

Here is a selection of the most beautifully packaged food products which are also delicious to boot.

Bennetto

Produced in New Zealand, Bennetto have a range of divine chocolate bars such as Toasted Hazelnut, Salted Caramel in Dark and Mint and Cocoa Nibs. However, what sets them apart are the stunning wrappers. Like the cocoa they use, the birds featured on the designs are from Peru pained by talented artist Henrietta Harris. The company also gives back to a Peruvian Fairtrade cooperative, made up of 2000 small-scale farmers, is based in the Amazon jungle. This long-standing cooperative supports education, opportunities for women and reforestation in the Amazon.

Uncle Charlie’s Tastes of Country

Indigenous Gourmet snack food company Uncle Charlie’s Tastes of Country is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and offers a range of more-ish flavoured popcorn using native ingredients such as Davidson Plum and Finger Lime, Bush Tomato and River Mint, Sunrise Lime and Quandong. One of the many ways they demonstrate their heritage is through the artwork on the packaging designed by Wiradjuri artist Peta-Joy Williams.

The Alchemy Cordial Company

Having started as a market stall back in 1997, The Alchemy Cordial Company has grown to become a much-loved boutique cordial range. Featuring a delectable range of flavours including Love – Rose and Lime Syrup; Mambo – Mango and Lime Syrup; and Heat – Lemon and Chillli Syrup, the bottle designs are sweet and whimsical pieces of art.

Patons

Made in Melbourne, Patons produce high quality macadamia nut products such as Artisan Milk Their Australian Milk Chocolate Macadamia Tjupurrula Art comes in a gorgeous gift box featuring beautiful Indigenous artwork. There’s also other products such as their Milk Chocolate Macadamia Australian Icons which feature striking prints of Australian icons such as the Opera House and Uluru – perfect for any overseas friend.

Crest Chocolates Australia

The chocolates from Crest Chocolates Australia celebrate animals through their chocolates such as their Milk Chocolate Koalas and their Chocolate Turtle Bar in Dark Mint Chocolate. The products have already received wide acclaim for quality and unique and innovative packaging, featuring graphics of koalas and other icons.