The hunt has begun for the standout food and drink products in the specialist retail market.
Entries are now open for the 2023 Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards, which highlight and reward the best the specialist food market has to offer.
The awards are open only to products sold in farm shops, delis and other specialist food retailers, and are judged by independent retailers, wholesaler buyers and other industry experts. Leading retailers and wholesalers are supporting the event, including Booths, Cotswold Fayre, Diverse Fine Foods, Kitchen Food Co and Thyme and Tides.
“We are constantly on the lookout for great tasting, emerging products and we actively review the winners of these awards with a view to potentially stocking them within our stores,” said Booths marketing & trading head John Gill.
Winning a Farm Shop & Deli Product award can be a major boon for a business and raise its profile among retailers and distributors.
“We are really careful about what competitions we enter,” said Richard Trenchard, co-founder of Goosnargh Gin, which won gold and silver awards in this year’s event. “Some awards hold real gravitas, and the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards were important for us to connect with the types of retail businesses we support.”
The judging process will consider criteria including value and branding, along with taste, so the winning products not only taste great but should also perform well in store.
The deadline for entries is Friday 17 February 2023, with this year’s awards judged across eleven categories:
- Beverages
- Chilled & Frozen Desserts
- Chilled Deli
- Condiments & Sauces
- Fermented & Smoked Foods
- Meat
- Non-Food
- Plant-Based
- Preserves
- Savoury Biscuits & Snacks
- Sweet Bakery & Confectionery
Ambient products will be judged in March, with winners announced throughout April ahead of the Farm Shop & Deli Show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 24 to 26 April 2023. Chilled or frozen products will be judged at the Farm Shop & Deli Show on Monday 24 April 2023, and winners will be announced live on stage that afternoon.
Entrants will receive a feedback report following the judging.
“We are delighted to announce the return of the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards for a second year,” said Giorgio Rigali, head of communications for exhibitions at Farm Shop & Deli Show organiser William Reed.
“Farm shops are the heartbeat of local communities, and these awards celebrate the incredible range of local, high-quality products they have to offer.”
To enter the awards or to register for the show, visit the Farm Shop & Deli Show website.
Farm Shop & Deli Show is part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, which are organised by William Reed.
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