Awards Launched for Farm Shops and Delis

The Farm Shop & Deli of the Year Awards, in partnership with Olives Et Al, recognise the highest levels of service, product knowledge, initiative, innovation and community involvement.

The awards are also organised by William Reed Business Media, which runs the Farm Shop & Deli Show.

There will be 12 category winners, ten regional champions and an overall Retailer of the Year, which will be announced at the Farm Shop & Deli Show in March next year.

The first stage of the judging process will decide the category winners and regional champions, based on areas including consumer feedback, sustainability, community involvement and innovation.

The second stage will include mystery visits to all the regional champions to decide the overall Retailer of the Year.

Giles Henschel, founder of Olives Et Al, said, “Seeing our Deli of the Year competition broaden and develop into something much wider will really help bring national prominence to speciality retailers of all kinds and the whole thing is designed so that entrants get benefit by taking part and not just winning.”

Nigel Barden, the chair of judges for the competition, added, “I am delighted to be involved in the newly launched Farm Shop & Deli of the Year Awards. It’s a fabulous initiative for the sector and offers the best way to recognise and reward excellence for the UK’s local, artisan and high street speciality retailers.”

Categories include a champion butcher, baker, greengrocer, fishmonger, market, farm shop, online business, deli, food hall, garden centre and local shop.

Entries open in June. For more information on how to enter for free, visit www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk.