Melbourne Food & Wine’s 2024 Sustainability Champions: Duncan and Jan Thomson, founders of Murray River Salt

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) Legends program is a prestigious recognition of individuals and businesses shaping Australia’s food and drink landscape. Each year, the festival honours those who contribute significantly to the industry, across categories like culinary excellence, winemaking, and sustainability. The 2024 MFWF Legends and Trailblazers includes champions from diverse sectors, all celebrated for their innovation and impact.

Among this year’s sustainability champions were Murray River Salt’s very own founders Duncan and Jan Thomson. Thanks to the very special nomination from Essential Ingredients’ founder and general manager, Syd Weddell, Duncan and Jan were recognised for their groundbreaking environmental practices that have revolutionised salt production by prioritising sustainability while maintaining superior product quality. Murray River Salt’s solar-evaporation technique harnesses the natural mineral-rich water of the Murray-Darling Basin, creating a process that is both eco-conscious and highly efficient. This method helps reduce soil salinity levels, benefiting local ecosystems while producing high-grade, naturally pink salt crystals.

Duncan and Jan’s focus on environmental responsibility ensures that every pyramid of Murray River Salt is harvested with minimal ecological impact. Not only have Duncan and Jan pioneered an eco-friendly approach to salt production, but they have also helped promote the use of sustainably sourced ingredients within Australia’s thriving culinary scene. Chefs and consumers alike appreciate the distinctive taste and texture of their product, which speaks to the Thomsons’ passion for quality and nature-friendly practices.

Their recognition as MFWF Sustainability Champions emphasises the growing importance of sustainability in the food industry and highlights Murray River Salt as leaders in this critical space. 

To learn more about Murray River Salt’s sustainability practices, visit this webpage or for more information on the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Legends and Trailblazers, visit Melbourne Food and Wine.