The Farm Shop & Deli 2021 Awards return this October, but this year they’re doing things a little differently by looking to shine the spotlight on those retailers who deserve recognition in their region for their community support.
There are so many wonderful stories of how retailers have gone above and beyond to help their customers, staff, suppliers and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These range 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 – to name just a few. Farm Shop & Deli wants to celebrate these local champions with their latest awards.
For 2021 the Awards are placing more emphasis on how specialist retailers have adapted their business and supported their community, staff and suppliers this year, rather than focusing on financial success.
Retailers will be judged by their region, and not category.
The Awards are encouraging consumers and suppliers to nominate retailers worthy of winning via an online nomination form by October 31, 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. They’ll need to provide their contact information, upload an image of their team or shop front and answer 2 simple questions to tell the judges why they’re a worthy winner by December 31.
Retailers do not need to wait to be nominated and can enter themselves by the same online entry form. Both the online Nomination Form and Entry Form can be found on the Awards website: farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards
All shortlisted retailers will be announced in January and invited to attend the winners’ announcement live from the Farm Shop & Deli Show on Monday 12th April at the NEC, Birmingham. Here the ‘Commended’ and ‘Best in Region winners’ will be revealed, culminating in a wonderful celebration of the specialty sector.
The Award’s judges, headed by returning Chair of Judges Nigel Barden, food and drink broadcaster, are looking forward to supporting this year’s competition, and will score all online entries in January and February.
Supporting speciality, celebrating success.
The Awards are free to enter. However, to be able to recognise the challenges retailers have overcome, and the achievements this year has brought them, the judges need to hear about this either from customer and supplier nominations, or directly from the retailers themselves. So, if you are interested in nominating a worthy retailer, or entering yourselves, please visit farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards to find out more.
