Nugan Quality Foods (NQF) was established by the local family in 1974 and had been run by Michelle Nugan for more than 25 years before being sold to Harvey Fresh Limited this week.

Mrs Nugan said, while the sale was an important step for the family, she would still stay on as a consultant to the business.

“NQF has been the focus of my life for many years but the time came for me to step back from the day-to-day operation and ownership,” she said.

“I am delighted that the business has been acquired by Harvey Fresh, another family-owned business, and I look forward to supporting them in the ongoing success of NQF.”

Mrs Nugan said staff and suppliers should be reassured they would not suffer from the takeover.

“Importantly, all our staff and consumer and supplier contracts will be retained and the business can look at growing with the additional expertise that Harvey Fresh can bring to expand and diversify the business to the next level,” she said.

Mrs Nugan said the family’s other business interests, such as the Nugan Estate winery, would remain in their hands.

“The aspirations of my children, Matthew and Tiffany, are in the wine industry and this will be the focus of the family business going forward,” she said.