03 July 2016, 23:59 PM

Nigel Barden, Food & Drink Journalist/Broadcaster is returning again as Chair of Judges for the prestigious Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2017.

Now entering their 4th year, the 2017 Awards open for entries from Monday 4th July 2016.

Below Nigel shares his insights into these Awards and how independent specialist retailers can benefit from entering.

Celebrating the very best of the UK’s specialist food and drink market

The artisan food and drink market is particularly competitive and it’s crucial that we recognise those who are championing the sector by leading from the front. It’s important that they can be acknowledged by the public and their peers in the trade.

And that’s what these Awards do - they celebrate the very best standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement in the sector.

Following resounding success since its launch in 2014, the Farm Shop & Deli Awards have received over 1,000 entries from the specialist independent retail market, with nearly 17,000 consumer votes and over 7,000 online votes registered. They really are a great way for retailers and their customers and community to get involved together.

The judging process

These Awards commend retailers’ success in speciality sectors and regions respectively. With over 350 entries nationwide for awards across 12 different specialisms, 9 Regional and the overall ‘Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year’, competition is high to obtain these coveted accolades.

In addition to me, the Awards are judged by a team of experts from the world of speciality retail, fine food and food media. In 2016 the judges included Elaine Lemm, our Co-chair of judges & Food Writer, Jon May, Managing Director Fabulous Food & Drink and Ross Gilfillan, Editor Speciality magazine, to name just a few.

We review all the online entries before carrying out a series of ‘secret’ visits to see the retailers in action. Scores are then counted and judged along with online votes from consumers ahead of the winners’ unveiling live at the Farm Shop & Deli Show in the April.

Benefits of taking part

The Farm Shop & Deli Awards are a fantastic way for specialist retailers in the food and drink sector to showcase all the great work you and your team are doing nationally and with your local customers, with all entrants being added to the award’s website. They also provide lots of opportunity to network and connect with other businesses, sharing ideas and success with your industry peers.

The use of the Farm Shop & Deli Awards logo can also be used to endorse your products and entering provides an opportunity for you to raise your company profile, generate positive PR for your business, put your work and achievements in front of a highly regarded panel of judges as well as providing a fantastic opportunity to increase your customer engagement online.

Our 2016 winner Arthur Howell, pictured above said:

“Being named Retailer of the Year 2016 at the Farm Shop & Deli Show Awards has given my business a fantastic boost. I have recently seen a 20% increase in the number of local hotels and restaurants I supply and I believe that extra business has been generated as a direct result of the award.  I fly the Norfolk flag with pride and one of the first things I did after this year’s show was to have the Retailer of the Year 2016 logo incorporated on the bodywork of my delivery vehicles. It’s been a real talking point and I think the award has made my customers even more assured of the quality of the produce I provide.”

After winning Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year in 2014, Nikki Storrar from Ardross Farm Shop went on to become a judge for the Awards in 2015.

“The year after winning the awards was fantastic. The staff got so much pride in what they were doing. So to be asked to be a judge this year was great but also pretty daunting because of the effect that you may have on the person who has entered. It’s also been a fantastic experience because I learnt a lot about what’s happening in the industry and I also could sympathize quite a lot with people who have entered.” 

Find out more and enter

The 2017 Farm Shop & Deli Awards are now open for entry! Deadline for online entries is Friday 16th Sep so visit the Farm Shop & Deli Awards website to find out more and enter today.