Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2018: Consumer Voting Opens

The Farm Shop & Deli Awards has already started to receive entries for the 12 award categories and is welcoming consumers to visit the website farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/fsda18entrants, and vote to support their local retailer(s).

Customer comments are important to the judging process and a chance to show support for local retailers. The consumer votes help decide the category, regional and overall Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year Award winners.

During the judging day later this year, the award’s judges will come together to review all category entries as well as the online consumer votes they have received. Based on quality of comments, rather than the quantity of votes, consumer votes contribute towards deciding the shortlist for the awards finalists.

Nigel Barden, chairman of judges said, “The farm shop and deli sector continues to grow in size and importance, as do these awards, which crucially acknowledge the finest in the field, in both retail and online. They also help consumers track down the finest out there, as these talented retailers continue to push the boundaries.”

Consumers can visit the ‘2018 Entrants’ web page at farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards, select the retailer(s) they wish to vote for and submit their entry online. Online voting closes on 31st October 2017 and all voters will be entered into a prize draw to win a Fortnum & Mason food hamper from the Farm Shop & Deli Awards team.

If you consumers cannot see their favourite local retailer and feel they are worthy of an award, they are being urged to encourage them to enter online. It’s free and a fantastic way for specialist retailers in the food and drink sector to showcase all the great work they and their team are doing nationally and with their local customers.

By entering farm shops and delis can raise their company profile, generate positive PR for their business and put their work and achievements in front of a highly regarded panel of judges. The closing date for entries is 30th September 2017.

Retailers who enter will receive a voting pack with all the tools they need to raise awareness of their entries and drive their consumer votes before the October deadline.

Entering their 5th year, Farm Shop & Deli Awards celebrate the very best standards in the UK’s independent, specialist retail market. With an expert panel of judges joining Nigel Barden, the awards will celebrate the highest levels of service, product knowledge, initiative, innovation and community involvement, offered by our heroes of the high street.

Category awards are up for grabs across 12 different specialisms with nine regional awards also available - plus the coveted Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year. There is also a chance for young companies, who opened since April 2015, to compete for the Newcomer of the Year Award, won by Brace of Butchers in 2017.

A team of judges, which includes experts from the world of speciality retail, fine food and food media, will evaluate the online entries before whittling these down and carrying out a series of ‘secret’ visits later this year to see the retailers in action. Scores will be counted and judged along with online votes from consumers ahead of the finalists being revealed in March 2018.

The category, regional and Farm Shop & Deli Retailer of the Year 2018 winners will be announced at Farm Shop & Deli Show on 16 April 2018 at Birmingham’s NEC.

Find out more, enter or vote online at farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards