The Farm Shop & Deli Awards will be back from 1 October. The prestigious awards, in partnership with The Grocer and sponsored by Garofalo and Food & Drink Wales, are renowned for supporting and celebrating local specialist retailers covering 12 categories and nine regions across the UK.
The 2021 awards will differ slightly, though, in that they will highlight retailers who deserve recognition in their region for their community support. This is to showcase those who have gone above and beyond to help their customers, staff, suppliers and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This ranges from introducing new online ordering processes, drive-thru farm shops, home deliveries, sourcing local suppliers and offering opening hours dedicated to key-workers and ‘at-risk’ customers.
The Awards are encouraging consumers and suppliers to nominate retailers worthy of winning via an online nomination form by 31October, with a chance to win a foodie hamper from Fortnum & Mason. Nominated retailers will then be contacted in November and invited to enter via a quick and easy online entry form. However, retailers do not need to wait to be nominated and can enter themselves by the same online entry form.
All shortlisted retailers will be announced in January and invited to attend the winners’ announcement live from the Farm Shop & Deli Show on Monday 12 April at the NEC, Birmingham. Here the ‘Commended’ and ‘Best in Region winners’ will be revealed, culminating in a wonderful celebration of the speciality sector.
